Transit riders for the first time today accessed Rapid 235 directly from four new freeway-level transit stations on State Route 15 (SR 15) at El Cajon Boulevard and University Avenue. Thousands of riders will now board Rapid 235 service at one of these transit stations every weekday.
Each of the new stations, built as part of the SR 15 Mid-City Centerline Rapid Transit Stations project, consist of two freeway-level transit platforms, one northbound and one southbound platform at El Cajon Boulevard, and one northbound and one southbound platform at University Avenue.
Each platform has a dedicated set of elevators and stairs that provide connections between the four transit platforms and local bus service at the El Cajon Boulevard and University Avenue transit plazas. Passengers for the northbound Rapid 235 vehicles should use the stairs or elevators on the north side of El Cajon Boulevard and University Avenue. Southbound Rapid 235 vehicles are accessed from the south side of the streets. There is no access between the northbound and southbound platforms at freeway level. MTS ambassadors will be at the stations for the first week assisting riders.
Rapid 235 already travels along the SR 15 corridor, but previously used freeway exits at both roads to drop off passengers, cross these major thoroughfares, pick-up new passengers and re-enter the freeway. With the opening of the two new “Centerline” transit stations, Rapid 235 now enters the transit stations directly from the SR 15 median for more efficient rider drop-off and pick-up.
This project also built approximately three miles of “Transit-Only” bus lanes between Interstate 8 and Interstate 805, further improving transit service efficiency and travel time reliability through the corridor. These new “transit-only” bus lanes are not for use by private vehicles or other non-MTS buses. There is a $401 minimum fine for violations.
“SANDAG is excited to deliver this regionally significant project to the Mid-City community and Rapid riders,” said SANDAG Vice-Chair and Mayor of Poway Steve Vaus. “The opening of these Centerline stations strengthens our regional Rapid network, and increases the reliability and efficiency of a service that connects Mid-City communities with employment centers in Downtown San Diego, Mira Mesa, Rancho Bernardo and Escondido.”
The Rapid network will expand once again in 2019 with the South Bay Rapid. SANDAG is currently constructing the South Bay route. When complete, the route will carry passengers on a dedicated guideway from the Otay Mesa Port of Entry through Eastern Chula Vista to Downtown via a new direct access ramp recently added to interstate 805.
“The completion of this project is an example of how the local transportation agencies are working together to build smart, safe, integrated and sustainable projects that will support our growing population today, and decades into the future,” said Caltrans Interim District 11 Director Cory Binns. Caltrans District 11 provided the construction management services for this project.
MTS operates Rapid service, including the successful Route 235. “Rapid is an elevated transit experience that provides fast and convenient service to work, school, shopping and entertainment venues. These two new Rapid stations will better serve our Mid-City riders and improve connectivity to destinations beyond Mid-City,” said MTS Chair Georgette Gómez..
Led by the San Diego Association of Governments, the $65 million Centerline transit project was the result of a multi-agency collaboration between Caltrans and MTS and was funded through contributions from the Federal Transit Administration and TransNet, the regional half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements administered by SANDAG. Construction began on the SR 15 Mid-City Centerline Rapid Transit Stations project in mid-2015 and concluded in early March 2018.
SANDAG and Caltrans also constructed the SR 15 Commuter Bikeway. The new bike path connects Mid-City communities with Mission Valley and opened in August 2017.
The new transit and bike improvements along SR 15 are part of a broader regional effort to provide travelers with innovative mobility choices that support a sustainable, healthy region and a vibrant economy.
About SANDAG:
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is the San Diego region’s primary public planning, transportation, and research agency, providing the public forum for regional policy decisions about growth, transportation planning and construction, environmental management, housing, open space, energy, public safety, and binational topics. SANDAG is governed by a Board of Directors composed of mayors, council members, and supervisors from each of the region’s 18 cities and the county government.
About Caltrans:
Californians can expect more roadway improvement projects made possible by the recently passed Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, Senate Bill 1 (SB 1). Caltrans is committed to conducting its business in a fully transparent manner and detailing its progress to the public. For complete details on SB 1, visit http://www.rebuildingca.ca.gov/.
Caltrans reminds drivers to ‘Be Work Zone Alert’ by avoiding distracted driving, paying constant attention to traffic, and slowing down when approaching work zones.
About MTS:
MTS operates 95 bus routes and three Trolley lines on 53 miles of double-tracked railway. Every weekday 300,000 passenger trips are taken on MTS bus and Trolley services in 10 cities and the county. In FY 2017, MTS served more than 88 million riders. For more information on how you can use public transportation and save money, go to www.sdmts.com.
