SANDAG’s people mover next battle

A spirited debate centers on an elevated Automated People Mover to connect downtown with the San Diego International Airport; estimated cost between $2B to $4B

A rendering shows the elevated Automated People Mover at Los Angeles International Airport, which is expected to open in 2025 due to bond delays. SANDAG presented an APM option to connect San Diego International Airport with downtown to some controversy. Courtesy image

COUNTY — The next big decision concerning transportation was on display Friday during the San Diego Association of Governments Board of Directors meeting.

Staff presented an item (item starts at 1:20:06 mark) regarding a “people mover” to connect San Diego International Airport with downtown. One of the goals for SANDAG’s ambitious $172 billion Regional Transportation Plan is building out transit lines and connecting downtown to the airport.

The elevated Automated People Mover was front and center with labor unions, environmental groups and some on the board pressing SANDAG staff to speed up the environmental reviews and other elements. Raul Campillo, a San Diego city councilman, said the delays must stop, although Interim SANDAG Chief Executive Officer Coleen Clementson said the timeline appears long, but will cut down on the back end.

She said the reviews may take up to three years for the project, which is estimated to cost between $2 billion to $4 billion. SANDAG is considering other options such as a trolley extension to the airports.

“We want the process shorter,” Clementson explained. “We have to make sure we are following all the rules to have a fundable project. This is a huge priority for the region and the agency. We had a lot of consultants on this and now we are bringing it in-house so we have more control.”