SANDAG fully reopened Friars Road this week after completing a four-year project to improve the railroad and trolley bridges over the San Diego River in the Morena area.
The project entailed three new bridges over the river, one for the trolley extension to University City, and two for commuter and freight trains.
“SANDAG is thankful to the community for their patience while construction was in place on Friars Road for these critical projects,” said SANDAG Chair Catherine Blakespear, who is Mayor of Encinitas .
“The Mid-Coast Trolley and San Diego River Double Track projects will greatly improve the way people and goods move throughout the San Diego region, serving as great examples of how SANDAG aims to transform regional connectivity through the 2021 Regional Plan,” she added.
The two heavy-rail bridges cost $93.9 million. The trolley bridge is part of the $2.1 billion, 11-mile northern extension of the Blue Line trolley that will open late this year.
Both projects were funded through a combination of federal and local sources, including TransNet, the regional half-cent sales tax for transportation improvement projects.