Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council unanimously approves Transnet RTIP actions, allocates major resurfacing and bike/path funds
Summary
San Diego’s council approved staff recommendations to develop the 2027 RTIP and to program Transnet budget adjustments, including about $14.8 million for street resurfacing and $3.1 million for a Chollas Creek–Bayshore multi‑use path; the vote was unanimous, 6–0.
The San Diego City Council unanimously approved staff recommendations on May 20 to develop the 2027 Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP) and to program Transnet budget adjustments and project allocations.
Transportation interim director Naomi Chavez and interim deputy director Patrick Och presented the Transnet overview, explaining the half‑cent local sales tax administered by SANDAG that funds local streets and roads. Staff said roughly 29.1% of net Transnet revenues are set aside for the local streets and roads formula and the city’s FY 2027 Transnet revenue is estimated at about $49.1 million.
Patrick Och outlined proposed allocations in the FY 2027 program: approximately $14.8 million for street resurfacing (about $13.7 million of that for in‑house mill‑and‑pave), $3.5 million for the El Camino Real to Via de la Valle segment, and $3.1 million earmarked for the Chollas Creek to Bayshore multi‑use path categorized under bicycle facilities. Staff said 70% of the funding must be used for congestion relief projects and no more than 30% for maintenance activities, consistent with the Transnet ordinance and SANDAG board policy.
Public commenters asked for clarification of the low cash‑balance metric and urged prioritizing maintenance and pedestrian safety. One commenter suggested Transnet funding could be used in the short term to help mitigate upcoming bus fare increases; another urged skepticism about additional surveillance technologies.
Councilmember Whitburn moved to approve the staff recommendation; the Chair seconded. Councilmember Foster asked what 'bicycle facilities' covered and staff replied that the $3.1 million referenced the Chollas Creek to Bayshore project and that other grant funds also support it. The motion passed unanimously, 6–0, with councilmembers Elo Rivera, Von Wilpert and Campbell noted as absent on the recorded vote.
Staff said the action authorizes continued development of the 2027 RTIP, programming of the Transnet budget adjustments as outlined in the staff attachments, and the authority to make any programming changes triggered by the current fiscal year's appropriation ordinance. Staff will return any required programming updates to SANDAG and follow up with the council as needed.
