I attended a meeting of the Albondigas South County San Diego Group in Chula Vista on Oct. 17, when Hasan Ikhrata, executive director of San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), shared his “big, bold plan” for San Diego’s transportation future. He repeatedly stated, “Go bold and big or go home. I am not interested in mediocrity.”
Mr. Ikhrata noted that his plan may not have the of the SANDAG Board of Directors, but that he was presenting a world-class transportation future for San Diego’s region and that if it wasn’t accepted he had no problem “going home. I serve at the pleasure of the board.” Mr. Ikhrata also informed the group, in direct opposition to the SANDAG Board of Directors’ instruction regarding state Route 67, that “in no way will we be adding lanes to the highway.”
And, just to ensure his message about SR 67’s future was clear, Mr. Ikhrata repeated his message regarding the addition of two lanes: “That just will not happen.”
Mr. Ikhrata included a brief description of his big plan and the even bigger money involved. And, it is a staggering sum (up to $5 billion) — involving increases in our taxes to pay for “his vision” for our region.
Certainly, we do need workable and usable public transit options in the high density urban area. But what do we do to address the very real, currently failing, life-safety status of SR 67? What do we do to ensure that future wildfire evacuees, daily commuters and weekend travelers are safe?
Where do we fit into Mr. Ikhrata’s vision?
Mr. Ikhrata was asked, “As executive director, how do you and your team at SANDAG balance the transportation needs of urban residents with the transportation needs of rural residents for our region? How do you manage the interface between the two areas?”
Mr. Ikhrata’s response was that he had no plans to add lanes to 67. SR 67 would not get two lanes in both directions — “that just will not happen.” Mr. Ikhrata stated that “your problem” was continuing to build in outlying areas where people needed to drive more to get to work. We have to stop encouraging building away from urban areas.
Regarding fire safety, Mr. Ikhrata was clear there was a need to evacuate people, as “safety was important,” and that “he” would be giving SR 67 some turnouts or by options, but “in no way will we be adding lanes to the highway.” Mr. Ikhrata asked the theoretical question, if this fire issue was so important “why had nothing been done in the last 13 years?” (since the 2007 wildfire).
Mr. Ikhrata reported there was not enough money in the TransNet fund to complete any projects let alone all of the projects listed as part of this funding source. He said that the use of TransNet funds for mass transit projects instead of highway improvement was absolutely as intended. This is in contradiction to the 2004 TransNet Extension funding plan and the current direction of the SANDAG Board to allocate funding for SR-67 as expressed in the board’s Sept. 27, 2019, vote for the “Vaus-McNamara amendments.”
The reality is that we are all partners in this region. We all care about improving life and life-safety for each area. The challenge is how to balance long-range changes with immediate needs. This will require sharing the limited funds managed by SANDAG. This will require respecting and addressing the needs of urban and rural areas. This will require dedication — working long-term to ensure that the promising future of San Diego’s urban areas s the immediate life-safety needs of rural areas.
Please communicate your ideas. Have your voice heard. Email SANDAG Board Chair Steve Vaus via Tessa Lero at [email protected]
Robin Joy Maxson is a Ramona Community Planning Group member.
