This year marks the 25th anniversary of TransNet, the regional half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements and environmental conservation. TransNet funding made it possible for our region to expedite completion of numerous bus, rail, and highway improvements, as well as pay for bike and pedestrian projects, local street repairs, and open space acquisitions.

Recognizing the importance of keeping residents, visitors, and commerce on the move, San Diego County voters first approved TransNet in November 1987. Collection of the sales tax began the following April and continued for 20 years until 2008.  Prior to expiration, voters in 2004 overwhelmingly extended the sales tax for 40 years. The original TransNet raised more than $3.3 billion.

The San Diego region has benefited from a wide range of projects funded by the TransNet Early Action Program:

Transit Projects

• SPRINTER commuter rail service between Oceanside and Escondido
• COASTER commuter rail service between Oceanside and San Diego
• Trolley system enhancements, including extensions to Santee, Old Town, Mission Valley, La Mesa, and San Diego State University
• SuperLoop, a circular bus system serving the North University City area of San Diego, including UC San Diego

Highway Projects

• Widening and realignment of SR 76 from Oceanside to I-15 (The last segment from South Mission Road to I-15 is expected to be completed in 2015.)
• Completion of SR 56, I-5 to Carmel Country Road and Black Mountain Road to I-15
• Extension of SR 52 from I-15 through Santee to SR 67
• Completion of the I-15 Express Lanes from Escondido to San Diego
• Public acquisition of South Bay Expressway/SR 125 and subsequent reduction of tolls by up to 40 percent
• Completion of SR 125 from SR 54 to SR 94 and from I-8 to SR 52
• Construction of HOV lanes on I-5 (Manchester Ave.) and I-805 (Carroll Canyon Road)

TransNet goes beyond funding transit and highway infrastructure. It also supports local street improvements, smart growth, environmental conservation, and transit operations.

• A share of TransNet revenue goes directly to cities or the county for local street improvements.
• The TransNet Smart Growth Incentive Program provides grants to municipalities for compact, transit-oriented development.
• The TransNet Environmental Mitigation Program funds the protection and restoration of native habitats. Under the program, more than 3,300 acres of environmentally sensitive land have been preserved as open space.
• TransNet also supports transit operations, including discount passes for seniors, youth, and persons with disabilities.

Throughout the next 35 years, TransNet will continue to fund major initiatives to preserve and enhance the San Diego region’s quality of life. Residents can look forward to several major improvements getting started or finished in the near future:

• The $660 million Trolley Renewal project to modernize the Trolley system and add low-floor vehicles will be completed in 2015.
• The Mid-Coast Corridor Transit Project to extend the Trolley Blue Line from Old Town to University City is expected to break ground in 2015.
• New Rapid bus services are slated to launch in 2014 along the I-15 corridor from Escondido to Downtown San Diego and Escondido to Sorrento Mesa/UTC/UC San Diego, and in the Mid-City area, between San Diego State University and Downtown San Diego.
• Construction is expected to start in 2014 on a new Rapid bus line between Otay Mesa and Downtown San Diego.
• A $200 million initiative is underway to expand the bike network countywide and finish high-priority projects within a decade.
• Construction is now underway to create what will ultimately become a 28-mile Express Lanes facility in the median of I-805, between SR 905 and I-5.

As the administrator of the TransNet program, SANDAG prides itself on transparency and accountability. The TransNet Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee conducts fiscal and compliance audits every year and a performance audit every three years. Detailed information about TransNet projects is available throughout this website. The TransNet Dashboard is dedicated to keeping the public informed on the status of TransNet projects and serves as a project and program management tool to provide up-to-date schedule, budget, and expenditure information.