ENCINITAS — The Encinitas City Council on Wednesday evening identified two transportation infrastructure projects to submit for potential grant funding through the San Diego Association of Governments’ Smart Growth Incentive Program Cycle 6.
After reviewing staff recommendations and discussing various project proposals, the council voted to apply for grant funding for Trail 82 and the La Costa Avenue Pedestrian Path, prioritizing pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements in key city areas.
The SGIP grants support projects that enhance housing-supportive infrastructure, pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, and transportation improvements in alignment with smart growth principles. The deadline for applications is April 7.
The two projects approved for grant submission include:
- Trail 82 (Rancho Santa Fe Road): This project, estimated at $5.5 million, aims to improve pedestrian and bicycle access along a critical corridor linking Encinitas Boulevard and El Camino Real. If awarded the grant, the city will contribute a $250,000 match. The 0.95-mile (5,016 feet) trail will run from Encinitas Boulevard to El Camino Del Norte along the east side of Rancho Santa Fe Road, connecting several sections of existing trails.
- La Costa Avenue Pedestrian Path: The city is seeking $1.2 million to enhance pedestrian infrastructure along La Costa Avenue near recent housing developments. If awarded the grant, the city will provide a $100,000 match.
Council members noted that these projects align with long-standing community concerns about pedestrian and cyclist safety, particularly along Trail 82, which runs on the east side of Rancho Santa Fe Road from Encinitas Boulevard to El Camino Del Norte.
“Trail 82 is a forgotten trail in the city,” said Councilmember Jim O’Hara. “I think it’s something as a council… we need to ensure it stays on the list going forward.”
City staff had initially recommended submitting grant applications for Santa Fe Drive (Eastern Phase) and the Leucadia-Hygeia roundabout, citing their alignment with SANDAG’s scoring criteria. However, council members opted against pursuing these projects at this time.
Mayor Bruce Ehlers expressed reservations about the Santa Fe Drive project, stating, “I’m not comfortable with moving forward if we’re putting Santa Fe on hold and we don’t even know where we’re going to go.”
The council also debated the proposed Leucadia-Hygeia roundabout, a long-planned traffic improvement at the intersection of Leucadia Boulevard and Hygeia Avenue. Some residents spoke against the project, citing concerns over pedestrian safety.
“A roundabout is the biggest waste of money you could spend your money on,” said resident Carol Main. “People are coming down the hill so fast, if they don’t have to stop, they’re not likely to stop — this is where kids cross the street.”
Council members acknowledged the mixed feedback and cost considerations for the roundabout project, which is estimated to require $6.2 million to complete, far exceeding the $3.5 million in grant funding available.
“Ultimately, I’m going to look to my colleagues to help me trade off on what’s the highest priority,” said Ehlers.
In addition to selecting infrastructure projects, the council unanimously approved a letter supporting a regional greenhouse gas emissions inventory project in partnership with Solana Beach and six other cities. The initiative, led by Solana Beach, seeks $150,000 to $400,000 in grant funding to standardize emissions tracking across participating municipalities.
“This is basically a free ride for all the other North County cities,” said Ehlers. “We get to kind of ride their coattails.”
The city will submit its SGIP grant applications by the April deadline, with funding decisions expected later this year.
Councilmembers emphasized the need for better long-term planning to position the city for future grant opportunities. Some members suggested prioritizing project readiness earlier in the budget process to increase the likelihood of securing funding.
“In the future, I hope to get a little bit more heads-up getting into the grant season and having some of these things further down the path with the shovel ready,” said Councilmember Luke Shaffer. “It changes my ideas of how we need to get [our priorities] shovel ready for future grants.”
