The plan for an 11-mile Caltrans trolley extension is rapidly progressing, according to a statement from San Diego Associations of Governments (SANDAG).
The Mid-Coast Trolley Project will expand the current blue line trolley from Old Town to La Jolla’s University City area, according to Caltrans.
The extension will include nine stops, five of which will be aerial. Some of the stops include the Veteran’s Affair’s Medical Center, three beach communities, the University of California San Diego campus and the UTC mall.
Construction is currently active along Interstate 5, from the San Diego River to Genesee Avenue, according to SANDAG.
The Caltrans Mid-Coast Trolley extension project is predicted to cost as much as $2.17 billion to construct but will generate over 14,000 jobs during the construction period, according to SANDAG Division Director of Rail Implementation John Haggerty.
Once the construction is complete, the trolley service is expected to increase the county’s economy by cutting parking needs, reducing traffic and increasing access to jobs, according to SANDAG.
SANDAG said the project is also estimated to bring more than $116 million in economic benefits per year and provide transportation to 21,000 new riders.
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Construction for the Mid-Coast Trolley Project began in September 2016 and is scheduled for completion by fall 2021.
