The Mid-Coast Extension of the UC San Diego Blue Line extends Trolley service from the Santa Fe Depot in Downtown San Diego to the University Community area, serving major activity centers such as Old Town, Mission Bay, UC San Diego, and Westfield UTC. Construction for the project began in fall 2016, and the Trolley extension opened for revenue service on November 21, 2021, on time and on budget.
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Project Overview
Freeways and arterials in the Mid-Coast Corridor are generally congested and traffic congestion is projected to increase as the region grows. Population in the entire corridor is forecasted to increase 19 percent and employment is forecasted to increase 12 percent by the year 2030. The Mid-Coast Trolley Extension expands transportation capacity in the corridor to accommodate existing and future travel demand, particularly for peak period commute trips. The project provides an effective alternative to congested freeways and roadways for travelers and reducing vehicle miles traveled.
View a "flyover" of the Mid-Coast Trolley Extension route.
The Mid-Coast Trolley Extension route begins just north of the Old Town Transit Center and travels in existing railroad right-of-way and alongside I-5 to Gilman Drive. It crosses to the west side of I-5 just south of Nobel Drive and continues on to serve the heart of the UC San Diego campus. It then crosses back to the east side of I-5 near Voigt Drive to serve the UC San Diego east campus and Scripps Memorial Hospital, transitions into the median of Genesee Avenue, and continues down Genesee Avenue to the UTC Transit Center.
View simulations of each station.
The project can also be viewed in more detail, by section, in the following conceptual exhibits:
Santa Fe Depot to north of Middletown Station
Middletown Station to Old Town Transit Center
Old Town Transit Center to north of Tecolote Road Station
Clairemont Drive Station to north of Balboa Avenue Station
I-5 to SR 52 interchange and surrounding area
South of Nobel Drive Station to VA Medical Center Station and UC San Diego Central Campus Station
The project connects corridor residents with other Trolley lines serving Mission Valley, East County, and South County. As an 11-mile addition to the existing Metropolitan Transit System Trolley Blue Line, the Mid-Coast Trolley Extension creates a one-seat (no transfer) ride from the international border and communities south of Downtown San Diego all the way to the University Community area. This new service enhances direct public access to other regional activity centers and improves travel options to employment, education, medical, and retail centers for corridor residents, commuters, and visitors.
View the project's fact sheet in English and en Español.
Mid-Coast Corridor Mobility Hub Implementation Strategy
In the Mid-Coast Corridor, mobility hubs serves to enhance access and connections to the Mid-Coast Trolley Extension, making it easier to use public transit and other travel alternatives. Mobility hubs offer an array of transportation services, amenities, and urban design enhancements that connect transit to where people live, work, and play. Various modes of travel, including walking, biking, ridesharing, shuttle, bus, and light rail services come together to create a seamless travel experience. Supporting technologies such as real-time arrival information, electric vehicle charging stations, and mobile applications also improve convenience for users.
The Mid-Coast Mobility Hub Implementation Strategy identified services and amenities for each station which includes improved pedestrian and bike connections, secure bike storage, on-demand ridesharing services, wayfinding, and supporting technologies. The strategy also outlined steps needed to implement recommended mobility hub improvements at Mid-Coast Trolley stations. The project also included opportunities for community input to guide the development of mobility hub recommendations.
To learn more, visit SDForward.com/MidCoastMobilityHubs.