Purple Line (San Diego Trolley)

The Purple Line is a future San Diego Trolley line proposed by SANDAG, that would run from San Ysidro Transit Center at the United States–Mexico border to Kearny Mesa with a possible extension to Carmel Valley. Most of it would run along a similar route to I-805, although not in the medians. The Purple Line could include up to 12 new Heavy Rail stations, and a new support facility and yard. Projected ridership on the Purple Line was previously expected to be over 40,000 daily trips when previously studied as a Light Rail line with a peak hour frequency of 7-10 minutes. Now however, with its mode being changed to higher speed Heavy Rail, a new study will be conducted in the near future to determine how many more daily trips will be generated.[1] The line is proposed to be opened in 2035 if funding is available at a proposed total project cost of $15.56B.[2]

Purple Line
Overview
StatusAnnounced
OwnerSANDAG
LocaleSan Diego, California
Stations12 (proposed)
Service
TypeHeavy rail
SystemSan Diego Trolley
Operator(s)San Diego Trolley, Inc.
History
Planned opening2035 (proposed)
2011Draft 2050 Regional Transportation Plan published
2019Project is announced as the Purple Line
2021Project is officially changed from being a Light Rail line to a Heavy Rail line
Technical
Track length30.5 mi (49.1 km)
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Electrificationoverhead lines
Operating speed110 mph (180 km/h) (max)
Route map

 Mira Mesa Boulevard/Pacific Heights Boulevard
UTC Transit Center Blue Line
 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard/Ruffner Street
 Anrae Street/Mesa College Drive
 Stadium
Green Line
 Dwight Street/43rd Street
 Euclid Avenue
Orange Line
 East Plaza Boulevard/Highland Avenue
 E Street/4th Avenue
 Orange Avenue/4th Avenue
Blue Line
 Iris Avenue
 San Ysidro Transit Center
Greyhound Lines

History

Planning

In April 2011, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) released a draft of its 2050 Regional Transportation Plan, which was approved by the SANDAG Board of Directors on October 28, 2011. An inland Trolley line from San Ysidro to Kearny Mesa, though not yet called the Purple Line, was included in the plan.[3][4][5]

Line name announced

In April 2019, SANDAG approved the final version of a November ballot initiative to increase the countywide sales tax by a half cent which further detailed future transit plans and specifically mentions and estimates the cost to build the proposed San Ysidro-Kearney Mesa trolley extension. It was then given its official title, the Purple Line.[6]

Mode changed from Light Rail to Heavy Rail

In 2021, SANDAG released their 2021 Regional Plan which updated the Purple Line proposal from a Light Rail line to a Commuter Rail line. As Heavy Rail, the line would be capable of running at 110mph.[7]

Proposed Stations

Potential stations according to the SANDAG plan could include:[8]

  • San Ysidro Transit Center, San Ysidro
  • Iris Avenue, Otay Mesa West
  • Orange Avenue/4th Avenue, Chula Vista
  • E Street/4th Avenue, Chula Vista
  • East Plaza Boulevard/Highland Avenue, National City
  • Euclid Avenue (transfer to Orange Line), Southeast San Diego
  • Dwight Street/43rd Street, City Heights
  • Stadium station (transfer to Green Line), Mission Valley
  • Anrae Street/Mesa College Drive, Birdland
  • Clairemont Mesa Boulevard/Ruffner Street, Kearny Mesa
  • UTC Transit Center, University City
  • Mira Mesa Boulevard/Pacific Heights Boulevard, Sorrento Valley

References
  1. "SANDAG 2023 Regional Transportation Improvement Plan" (PDF). p. 141.
  2. "A Transformative Transportation Vision For the 2021 Regional Plan". p. Explore.
  3. "2050 Regional Transportation Plan – Chapter 6 – Systems Development: Offering More Travel Choices" (PDF). SANDAG. October 28, 2011. pp. 6–15–6–18 & 6–33. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  4. Ojeda, Artie (October 28, 2011). "SANDAG Approves Transportation Plan". NBC San Diego (KNSD). Retrieved 2011-10-30.
  5. "PROJECTS :: San Diego's Regional Planning Agency". SANDAG. October 28, 2011. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  6. "SANDAG Board of Directors Agenda, June 24, 2016, Item 16-06-10, FIRST READING: REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION ORDINANCE NO. RTC-CO-2017-01: THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY ROAD REPAIR, TRANSIT, TRAFFIC RELIEF, SAFETY, AND WATER QUALITY ORDINANCE AND EXPENDITURE PLAN PROVIDING FOR THE IMPOSITION OF A ONE-HALF OF ONE CENT RETAIL TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX FOR A FORTY-YEAR PERIOD COMMENCING ON APRIL 1, 2017
  7. "Central Mobility Hub and Connections Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan" (PDF). p. 89.
  8. "Purple Line Concept Map 2023-03-23" (PDF). 2023-03-23.
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