News

SANDAG Response to COVID-19

The health and safety of the San Diego region, including all of our partners and stakeholders, is a priority for SANDAG.

SANDAG continues to monitor COVID-19 development to provide timely and appropriate responses related to our regional responsibilities and programs.

Essential information is available on SANDAG’s social media channels - @SANDAGregion on Facebook and Instagram, and @SANDAG on Twitter.

We are following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, California Public Health Department, and San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency. 

Telework Resources

The SANDAG iCommute team periodically hosts free telework webinars to support regional employers and employees in the shift to teleworking.

Recording: Returning to Work? Commute Considerations

Recording: Telework Wellness - How to nurture teams and boost morale

Recording: New to Telework Culture? How to overcome challenges and prepare employees for success

Recording: Seasoned Telework Programs - Expanding and adapting for company-wide remote work

To learn more about resources for employers and teleworkers, including sample policies, guidelines, case studies, and articles, visit iCommuteSD.com/telework.  

Data about the Regional Impact of COVID-19

The SANDAG Data Science and Analytics team developed a new series of economic impact reports and forecasts that analyze how COVID-19 has affected employment and the economy. The reports are updated weekly and available at sandag.org/economy.

In an attempt to evaluate how COVID-19 and the stay at home orders have affected crime in the San Diego region, SANDAG also analyzed crime case data reported across the region between March and April 2020.

Construction Projects

Public works construction is deemed essential and work continues during the pandemic. Our partners, contractors, and workers are following U.S. Center for Disease Control and California Department of Public Health guidelines. For more information about COVID-19 visit covid19.ca.gov.

State of California Executive Order N-33-20

Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers List (as of March 22, 2020)

Public Meetings and Events

SANDAG is conducting meetings and other important outreach virtually. To receive the latest information about upcoming meetings and events, visit sandag.org/calendar or subscribe to receive meeting agendas and email updates.  

SANDAG Office Closures

SANDAG continues to operate, and employees continue to work to provide essential services to the public and make progress on critical regional projects.  

To protect the health and safety of staff, partners, and the general public, SANDAG offices are closed to the public and most employees are teleworking.

The FasTrak Customer Service Center in Otay Mesa for I-15 Express Lanes and South Bay Expressway customers is closed to the public effective July 14, 2020. Customer Service is still available by phone and email during normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Toll Attendants are not staffing the Otay Mesa Toll Plaza for the South Bay Expressway.

Customers are encouraged to call (619) 661-7070 or visit 511sd.com/FasTrak to reach a customer service representative.

On April 10, 2020, the SANDAG Board of Directors approved temporary suspension of the monthly account maintenance fee, also known as the Minimum Monthly Toll (MMT), for all SANDAG FasTrak accounts opened through the I-15 Express Lanes and South Bay Expressway, as well as the temporary suspension of toll violations for the South Bay Expressway.

On December 18, 2020, the SANDAG Board of Directors approved the reinstatement of toll violations effective January 5, 2021. SANDAG will offer three temporary COVID-19 relief measures: the FasTrak account maintenance fee requiring minimum monthly toll usage will continue to be waived; the timeframe to use Pay-by-Plate to pay a toll before receiving a violation will extend from four to ten days; and the timeframe to pay a first violation notice will extend from 30 to 60 days. 

Motorists are encouraged to visit SBXthe125.com to make a payment. 

Other Resources 

For information about how public transportation providers are responding to COVID-19, visit the MTS or NCTD websites.

For specific information on the COVID-19 virus, visit:

- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

- California Department of Public Health

- San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency

Project Manager(s)

For media inquiries, please contact the SANDAG Public Information Office at (619) 699-1950 or pio@sandag.org.