17 Nov Transportation – Informing & Involving People

Mid-Coast Transit Corridor Construction Relations

This fall, preliminary construction began on a highly-anticipated regional transportation project, the Mid-Coast Trolley project. This San Diego-region project will extend Trolley service from downtown San Diego to the University City area, with major transit stops including locations at University of California San Diego, the VA Medical Center and at Westfield UTC Mall. In total, nine new stations will be built throughout the University City, Pacific Beach, Clairemont and Linda Vista areas. While major construction on this project is anticipated to begin in early 2016, some preliminary work that will help facilitate the project construction has begun, including the Control Point Rose Track Crossovers Project.

This track project, which is also an element of the Elvira to Morena Double Track project, will include installing new rail crossovers and drainage crossings and realigning the track. The project work is taking place near a dense residential area in University City. Prior to project groundbreaking, Katz & Associates, along with the Mid-Coast Transit Constructors joint venture, put together a community information session to introduce stakeholders to the project team, present information and discuss what sort of construction impacts can be expected. There are approximately 1,500 homes that are notified each time Katz & Associates distributes informational materials, this also includes coordination with a local farmers market situated directly in front of the project area. Since the project began, Katz & Associates has sent out approximately 8,000 notifications to let stakeholders know about 24-hour weekend work, night work and other schedule information. Katz & Associates has also coordinated with the contractor and the Friends of Rose Canyon advocacy group to foster community goodwill by sponsoring a volunteer opportunity to clear the canyon of invasive vegetation. The Control Point Rose Track Crossovers Project is anticipated to be complete in spring 2016. Other preliminary work prior to Mid-Coast construction starting, includes water and sewer utility replacement work along major corridors of the city. This work is anticipated to begin in late 2015, with Katz & Associates coordinating the noise permit outreach process and open house meetings to be scheduled in November 2015.