RIDING THE RAILS TO OLD TOWN

The San Diego Light Rail Transit (LRT) system currently consists of 38 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). After four years of construction, MTDB will open the Old Town LRT Project on June 16, 1996. This 3.2-mile (5.1 km) extension of the South Line will provide two new tracks, three new stations, and several grade separations within the existing railroad corridor. During the design process, MTDB was challenged by the Harborview/Little Italy community leaders not to grade-separate LRT over several arterial streets. The community was concerned that the bridges would block the community's view of the San Diego Bay. After many traffic studies and cost estimates, MTDB compromised by agreeing to grade-separate LRT under two streets and over another street. The city of San Diego and the San Diego Unified Port District agreed to provide the additional revenue. These grade separations are now complete, and the community is pleased with the project. The terminus of the LRT Project will be at the Old Town Transit Center adjacent to the historic Old Town State Park. MTDB executed an agreement with the Department of State Parks (State Parks) to develop the largest regional transit center, with 18 bus bays, a 550-car parking lot for both State Park visitors and transit patrons, commuter rail Coaster station platforms adjacent to LRT platforms, and an 1871 circa train depot. MTDB's Mission Statement emphasizes completing major capital projects on schedule and within The Old Town LRT project is consistent with this statement; the LRT operation is scheduled to begin service on June 16, 1996 within the $100,000,000 budget.