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Plan delays 67 widening from Scripps to Dye

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The widening of state Route 67 from Scripps Poway Parkway to Dye Road has been postponed from 2025-30 to 2040-50 in the updated transportation plan for the region that was approved by a 19-0 San Diego Association of Governments Board vote on Friday.

The nearly $204 billion Regional Transportation Plan’s (RTP) update covers the next 35 years and still schedules the widening of Route 67 from two lanes to four between Mapleview Street and Gold Bar Lane in Lakeside for 2020-25. The plan delays the widening of the highway from Gold Bar Lane to Scripps Poway Parkway from 2025-30 to 2035-40.

The approved RTP update anticipates $79 million for the widening of Route 67 between Mapleview Street and Gold Bar Lane and $1.339 billion for the section between Gold Bar Lane and Dye Road.

The update projects that about $203.8 billion will be spent for highway, transit, rail, and bicycle projects. The revenue includes projections of federal, state, local and private funds from existing and reasonably available future sources. Revenue projections account for growth assumptions and potential new funding sources consistent with historical funding trends.

The plan was approved despite objections of environmentalists and public transit advocates, who opposed it even though 75 percent of the funding during the first five years goes to mass transportation, walking and bike projects.

“This is a balanced plan. It provides a lot of transportation choices,” said San Diego City Council member Lorie Zapf.

“This plan is about connecting our communities with better mobility choices,” said Phil Trom, RTP project manager.

Federal law requires a region that receives federal money for transportation projects to update its long-range regional transportation plan every four years. The 2011 RTP had projected expenditures of $213.8 billion.

According to the regional agency, the plan anticipates 1 million more people, another 500,000 jobs, and 300,000 more houses in the county in the next 35 years.

The half-cent TransNet sales tax originally approved by county voters in November 1987 and extended through 2048 in November 2004 will pay part of projected costs.

The federal forecast requirement is for 20 years, but because the TransNet tax will be collected through 2048, the regional agency approved an RTP through 2050 in October 2011. The 2011 plan adoption through 2050 meant that few changes for projects were needed for the update, so the 2015 plan focuses on implementation.

The 2011 plan did not include timeframes for projects that had not yet begun, while the 2015 update provided phasing information.

“A balanced approach is best for all of San Diego County, specifically for North County,” said Mark Packard, North County Transit District Board chair and Carlsbad City Council member. “Our goal is to do the most good for the most people.”

The San Diego Association of Governments Board sought to balance transit options with road capacity improvements.

“You know it’s a good plan when everybody doesn’t get everything they want,” said County Supervisor Bill Horn, who is one of two county representatives on the regional board. “I think it’s a good plan.”

“This plan is solid,” said Ron Roberts, the other county supervisor on the board.

Roberts is also the county’s representative on the Metropolitan Transit System Board but noted that roads are needed for truck traffic.

“We need transportation and good roads. We need things out there in the backcountry,” said San Pasqual tribal chair Allen Lawson, the Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association representative at the regional board meetings. “It’s a very good plan.”

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