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 also will be released 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.
Shifting Gears for Bike Month
The SANDAG iCommute program hosted a bike commuting webinar on the originally scheduled Bike to Work Day, Thursday, May 14.
Recording: Biking to Work in the San Diego Region
The 30th Annual SANDAG Bike to Work Day was postponed to 2021 to ensure a healthy and safe experience. SANDAG has shifted gears and prepared a variety of digital options to support San Diegans as they GO by BIKE, including virtual bike education for employers and schools.
More information about Bike to Work Day can be found at iCommuteSD.com/BiketoWorkDay.
Telework Resources
The SANDAG iCommute team recently hosted free telework webinars to support regional employers and employees in the shift to teleworking.
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.
SANDAG also analyzed the differences in travel patterns between mid-March and mid-April 2020 compared to the same time period in 2019, showing a 44% decrease in vehicle miles traveled on local freeways. Read our latest InfoBit - Travel on our Freeways Since the COVID-19 Orders Began.
Construction Projects
Public works construction activities have been deemed essential, so we continue to work to keep active construction projects moving during the pandemic.
All personnel have been instructed to follow the precautionary health measures outlined by the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This includes providing access to medical facilities and emergency vehicles. Should the present level of health risk be elevated and the contractor need to temporarily cease work activities, crews will take the necessary measures to ensure all sites are prepared to withstand potential weather events and maintain public safety. Furthermore, the contractor will continue to be responsible for monitoring the project site and staging yards during non-working hours.
State of California Executive Order N-33-20
Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers List (as of March 22, 2020)
Public Meetings and Events
Where possible, SANDAG is conducting meetings and other important outreach virtually. SANDAG is making every effort to provide notice to minimize the inconvenience and expense to our partners, consultants, and participants.
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 — including the FasTrak Customer Service Center in Otay Mesa — are closed to the public and employees are teleworking.
While the I-15 Express Lanes and South Bay Expressway FasTrak Customer Service Center is closed to walk-in traffic, the call center remains open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 - 6 p.m.
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. This suspension is retroactive to March 2020 and will remain in effect for the duration of Governor Newsom’s statewide COVID-19 Shelter in Place Executive Order.
Customers are encouraged to call (619) 661-7070 or visit 511sd.com/FasTrak to reach a customer service representative.
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.