02.03.2026 | News Release
SANDAG Awards Approximately $55 Million to 14 Cities and the County to Fund 36 Transportation Projects
Award Marks Largest Funding Since Program Inception in 2009
The SANDAG Board of Directors awarded approximately $55 million to fund 36 local projects across the San Diego region through the TransNet Smart Growth Incentive Program (SGIP) Cycle 6. Nearly $45 million will fund capital projects and $10.8 million will fund climate action plan and planning projects. SGIP funding awards will be going to 14 cities throughout the San Diego region and the County of San Diego. The combined award of $55 million marks the largest SGIP funding cycle since the program began 17 years ago.
“These projects improve the health and quality of life for our local communities in the San Diego region,” said SANDAG Chair and Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Heebner. “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 SGIP is funded by TransNet, the half-cent sales tax administered by SANDAG. Grants under this program are used to fund local transportation projects that foster compact, mixed-use development focused near transit, jobs, services, and public facilities. Prior to Cycle 6, $59 million was awarded across five cycles to more than 70 projects in the San Diego region.
For SGIP Cycle 6, $55 million will be distributed to three project categories:
- $44.6 million for 15 capital projects: The projects incorporate safety and mobility enhancements such as curb extensions, high-visibility crosswalks, sidewalks, bike lanes, ADA-compliant ramps, and complete street improvements. Many capital projects are anticipated to start construction in 2026 and will be completed within 42 months.
- $8.8 million for 14 planning projects: The projects include corridor studies, infrastructure assessments, and community and transportation plans that accelerate smart growth initiatives.
- $2 million for 7 climate action plan projects: The projects include the preparation, implementation, monitoring, and/or updates of climate action plans that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
For more information, visit SANDAG.org/sgip.
The awarded projects are listed below:
| Figure 1 Climate Action Planning Projects | ||
|---|---|---|
| Applicant | Project Title | Award Amount |
| Imperial Beach | Climate Action Plan Update | $150,000 |
| National City | National City Climate Action Plan Implementation Monitoring | $234,500 |
| San Marcos | Climate Action Plan (CAP) | $315,000 |
| Del Mar | Climate Action Plan Update and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Project | $164,000 |
| Solana Beach* | Regional Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory Project | $400,000 |
| Vista | Updating the City of Vista's Climate Action Plan | $335,000 |
| City of San Diego | City of San Diego Climate Action Plan Update | $400,000 |
| Total | $1,998,500 | |
*This is a regional project that includes 7 project partners: Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Encinitas, Escondido, La Mesa, Oceanside, and the County of San Diego.
| Figure 2 Planning Projects | ||
|---|---|---|
| Applicant | Project Title | Award Amount |
| National City | National City Downtown Specific Plan Update | $500,000 |
| San Diego | Otay Mesa-Nestor Community Plan Update | $1,000,000 |
| National City | Housing Supportive Infrastructure Assessment | $599,000 |
| Vista | City of Vista Active Transportation Plan | $407,900 |
| Lemon Grove | Lemon Grove Massachusetts Avenue Safe Routes to Transit Connectivity Plan | $463,067 |
| Lemon Grove | Lemon Grove Regional Bikeway Corridor Study | $632,500 |
| El Cajon | Parkway Specific Plan | $650,000 |
| San Diego | Balboa Park Master Plan: Connecting Parks, People and Places | $1,000,000 |
| El Cajon | Mixed Use Overlay | $500,000 |
| San Diego | Rancho Bernardo Community Plan Update | $1,000,000 |
| La Mesa | La Mesa Downtown Village Specific Plan | $372,289 |
| County | Buena Creek Specific Plan | $751,500 |
| San Marcos | San Marcos Boulevard Corridor Plan | $782,175 |
| Coronado | Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Needs Assessment & Master Plan | $150,000 |
| Total | $8,808,431 | |
| Figure 3 Capital Projects | ||
|---|---|---|
| Applicant | Project Title | Award Amount |
| Oceanside | Coast Highway Corridor Improvements Phase 1 | $3,499,474 |
| National City | National City Boulevard Smart Growth Revitalization Project | $3,499,450 |
| National City | 16th and 18th Street Community Corridors | $3,477,895 |
| El Cajon | El Cajon Boulevard Streetscape Phase 2 | $2,712,275 |
| Escondido | Grand Avenue Vision Project | $2,000,000 |
| San Diego | Chollas Creek to Bayshore Bikeway | $3,500,000 |
| Vista | City of Vista W. Bobier Dr. Complete Streets | $3,500,000 |
| San Marcos | San Marcos Boulevard Multi-Modal Improvements | $3,500,000 |
| Solana Beach | Lomas Santa Fe Corridor Improvements - West of Interstate 5 | $3,500,000 |
| Encinitas | La Costa Avenue Pedestrian Path | $1,197,238 |
| Lemon Grove | Broadway and Sweetwater Road Intersection Improvements | $3,500,000 |
| Imperial Beach | Palm Avenue Streetscape and Gateway Project | $2,399,000 |
| La Mesa | La Mesa Boulevard (Blvd.) Complete Streets Gateway Roundabout | $3,500,000 |
| Del Mar | Camino Del Mar Bridge Replacement Project | $2,700,000 |
| County | Poinsettia Avenue Active Transportation Improvements Project | $2,080,198 |
| Total | $44,565,530 | |