BUILDING LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT COMPATIBLE WITH "URBAN FORM" IN MISSION VALLEY

The San Diego Light Rail Transit (LRT) system currently consists of 38.0 route miles (60.8 km): the South Line from Centre City to the International Border and the East Line from Bayside to the city of Santee. In June 1996, the Old Town LRT Project will be completed, and begin operation. The Metropolitan Transit Development Board's (MTDB's) newest LRT endeavor is to complete the Mission Valley West LRT Project from Old Town to San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium, 6.1 miles (9.8 km) by January 1998 for the Super Bowl. The city of San Diego incorporated Transit-Oriented Development into the Mission Valley Community Plan in 1985 with a multiple-use plan, development intensities linked to the transportation system, the San Diego River, wetlands management plan, the pedestrian-oriented urban design. The City Council approved development agreements, with conditions for LRT right-of-way dedication and some capital costs by developers. Seven LRT stations (and two future stations) are woven into the existing and future land use in Mission Valley with three major elevated stations. A major LRT and bus transit center is planned at a regional shopping center. In fact, the stadium station is architecturally designed to blend with the stadium through a multi-level showcase experience. The MTD Board of Directors and the San Diego City Council have adopted resolutions supporting the completion of the LRT project by Super Bowl 1998.. The $220 million budget is composed of various state funds, local sales tax, and developer contributions. Two construction contracts were awarded in April 1995, and construction began in June 1995.