REGION — The San Diego Association of Governments board of directors has awarded more than $55 million to fund 36 projects across the San Diego region, officials announced this week.
Of the funds disbursed through the TransNet Smart Growth Incentive Program Cycle 6, nearly $45 million is for capital projects and $10.8 million for climate action plan and planning projects.
“These projects improve the health and quality of life for our local communities in the San Diego region,” SANDAG Chair and Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Heebner said. “This funding cycle reflects a larger and more inclusive approach for fund distribution to provide better connections and benefits to every corner of our region.”
The combined award is the largest SGIP funding cycle since the program began 17 years ago. The funding, collected from its half-cent sales tax, will go to 14 cities in the region and the county of San Diego.
In San Marcos, the city received $315,000 to develop a new Climate Action Plan, another $782,175 for a San Marcos Boulevard corridor plan, and $3.5 million for multimodal improvements along the boulevard.
Vista was awarded $335,000 to update its Climate Action Plan, $407,900 for an active transportation plan, and $3.5 million for complete-streets improvements on West Bobier Drive.
Oceanside secured nearly $3.5 million for Phase 1 of Coast Highway 101 corridor improvements, while Escondido received $2 million for its Grand Avenue Vision Project.
Along the coast, Del Mar was awarded $164,000 to update its Climate Action Plan and greenhouse gas inventory, and $2.7 million for the Camino Del Mar bridge replacement project.
Solana Beach received $3.5 million for Lomas Santa Fe Drive corridor improvements west of Interstate 5 and is also leading a $400,000 regional greenhouse gas emissions inventory project that includes Carlsbad, Encinitas, Escondido, Oceanside, Chula Vista, La Mesa and the county.
Encinitas was awarded $1.2 million for the La Costa Avenue pedestrian path project, while San Diego County received just over $2.08 million for active transportation improvements along Poinsettia Avenue.
Many of the 15 capital projects are expected to start construction this year and be completed within 42 months.
The SGIP is funded by TransNet, a half-cent sales tax administered by SANDAG. According to the regional agency, program grants fund projects that “foster compact, mixed-use development focused near transit, jobs, services, and public facilities.”
Before the current cycle, $59 million was awarded across five cycles to more than 70 projects in the county.
The board approved the grants on Jan. 23. A full list of projects is available at SANDAG.org/sgip.
The Coast News editorial staff contributed to this report.
