DESIGNING LRT WITH TUNNEL VISION

The San Diego Trolley system began operation in 1981. Since then, seven light rail extensions have been completed for 47 miles of light rail transit (LRT) lines. The MTD Board of Directors' highest priority extension is the Mission Valley East LRT Project. During 1998, the Metropolitan Transit Development Board (MTDB) received the Federal Transit Administration's (FT's) Record of Decision, the approval to begin final design, and a Letter of No Prejudice. In September 1999, MTDB submitted an application to the FTA for a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA)> Sine the selected LRT alignment included a 4,000-fot-long tunnel and underground station at San Diego State University (SDSU), a 13-member Design Advisory Committee (DAC) was formed by MTDB representing SDSU, the development foundation, College Area Council, students, disable persons, transit riders, and others. The DAC will be reviewing and providing advice to MTDB on the underground LRT station and the bus transit center at SDSU. Final design on the Mission Valley East LRT Project began in late 1998 with a separate contract for SDSU tunnel and understation. In early 1999, another contract was executed for design of the remaining 5.0 miles of the project. After receiving 35 percent design plans for the entire project in mid-1999, MTDB retained a separate Value Engineering (VE) team to review the plans. Through the VE recommendations, MTDB was able to save $16 million dollars for the project costs. The transit New Start process of obtaining an FFGA from the FTA has been a challenge for MTDB. However, MTDB is in the final phase of the approval process and anticipates execution of the FFGA by mid-2000.