Budget

SANDAG adopts the annual Program Budget, which is a comprehensive financial summary of the agency’s activities. The budget sets out our planned activities, illustrates how our work aligns with the priorities of our member agencies, and positions us to serve the region through the delivery of major infrastructure projects, policy initiatives, and regional services.

The budget includes three primary components: the Overall Work Program, the Capital Program, and Regional Operations and Services.

Budget Components and Process

The Overall Work Program (OWP) is an inventory of the regional planning projects and programs that will be undertaken during the fiscal year. Planning, our core responsibility, is where everything begins. It encompasses budgeting, data and research, community engagement, and more. Examples of this work include the Regional Plan, transit planning, and grants. All of the OWP projects aim to improve quality of life for residents and visitors. TransNet is an important funding source for many grants, projects, and programs in the OWP.
The Capital Program budget is the largest component of the SANDAG Program Budget. It includes the multiyear TransNet Major Corridors and Regional Bikeway Program and other transit and capital improvements. Capital projects include near-term and long-term infrastructure projects and encompass activities such as environmental clearance efforts, design, outreach, engineering, and construction. In addition to major corridor and bikeway projects, this component of the budget includes rail projects, mobility improvements at the border, environmental mitigation, and more.
This component of the budget covers management of ongoing operational programs and customer services that deliver enhanced mobility and public safety services. It provides for maintenance and support of intelligent transportation and regional law enforcement data systems that support travelers and public safety agencies in the San Diego region.
Internal operations costs are incorporated into the projects outlined in the three primary components listed above. More details on TransNet, internal operations, the Office of the Independent Auditor, and human resources can be found in their own chapters.

The Regional Plan provides a long-term vision for the region and is updated every four years. From the Regional Plan, the Board and agency leadership work with our partners to identify which projects to prioritize. We then identify or pursue funding to complete those projects.

Once funding is identified for a project or program in the approved Regional Plan, it moves into the SANDAG Program Budget. The SANDAG Program Budget spans one fiscal year (July 1 to June 30) for annual planning projects and 10 years for capital projects. It is updated annually. A draft budget goes to Caltrans and the Board, who provide feedback. After incorporating that feedback, a final budget is approved by the Board, usually in May of each year.

Finally, the projects in the approved budget move into the Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP). This five-year, near-term, investment plan shows that funds are committed to execute projects and programs identified through the Regional Plan and Program Budget process. Projects must be in the RTIP in order for SANDAG to access federal, state, and TransNet funds.

All of these documents go through public comment periods and are reviewed and approved by the Board.

Budget amendments up to $500,000 may be approved by the Policy Advisory Committees. Budget amendments of more than $500,000 require approval by the Board.

The map below provides information about mappable capital projects. Click and drag through the map to find your area of interest or use the search bar in the top left corner to look up a specific project by name or CIP number. Reference the full FY 2026 Budget to find each project's official name and number. Select the desired project from the map or the list of options under the search, and a small window will pop up with information on the project, such as where you can find it in the budget and key financial data.

View larger map.

FY 2026 Budget Overview

Total Budget Breakdown

A pie chart outlining all the elements of the SANDAG fiscal year 2026 budget including 51% for the capital program, 13% for TransNet to Major Corridor, 17% for TransNet pass-through, 4% for other TransNet, 6% for regional operations and services, 8% for the overall work program, and 0.1% for Board budget.

Pass-through funds go to local jurisdictions and transit operators.
The administration budget is included in the totals for each budget component above.

Budget Revenue

A pie chart outlining the budget revenue for the SANDAG fiscal year 2026 budget including 30% from federal, 44% from state, 15% from TransNet, and 11% from other local funds.

About three-quarters of the revenue used to support the projects and programs in the budget comes from state and federal sources. Most of this money is in the form of dedicated grants for specific work efforts. Local TransNet funds make up 15% of SANDAG’s revenue. Learn more about TransNet and our funding sources in the FY 2026 SANDAG Program Budget document.

Funding Sources

Each year, SANDAG updates its forecast of TransNet revenue to reflect the latest data and economic conditions. TransNet funds local transportation projects consistent with the Regional Plan including transit, highway, freight, bikeway, and walkway programs, plus an environmental conservation program, transit fare subsidies, and grants for smart growth, active transportation, and transportation services for seniors and persons with disabilities. It also helps us secure additional federal, state, and local funds.

State and federal government budgets also contribute to SANDAG’s annual revenue based on a formula determined by population and transit service areas. Federal and state formula funds help us pay for planning and capital projects throughout the region. This funding also provides funding for transit operations for MTS and NCTD and capital projects.

Dedicated grants, enterprise revenue, and ongoing multiyear state and federal grant programs provide funding for projects and programs in the OWP, Capital Program, and Regional Operations and Services budget components. In particular, SANDAG, local agencies and the transit agencies are eligible for discretionary funds under many federal and state programs. SANDAG, in partnership with other local public agencies, continuously competes for discretionary grants for its planning and capital programs that are added to the budget as they are awarded. Revenue generated from the toll roads we operate also contributes to our budget.

Additionally, the 19 SANDAG member jurisdictions are assessed a fee according to population, and users of the Criminal Justice Clearinghouse and ARJIS pay user fees. Assessments and fees fund Board expenses, the Office of the Independent Performance Auditor, government relations activities, Criminal Justice Clearinghouse reporting, and other regional planning efforts.

Annual Budgets

At its May 9, 2025, meeting, the SANDAG Board of Directors reviewed and adopted a $1.3 billion final SANDAG Program Budget for FY 2026, beginning July 1, 2025. This budget includes $104.6 million in projected costs for the Overall Work Program, $86.6 million for Regional Operations and Services, and $682.9 million for the annual portion of the Capital Program. Within the Capital Program, $187.2 million is budgeted for work done by outside agencies on our capital projects.

FY 2026 Program Budget

At its May 10, 2024, meeting, the SANDAG Board of Directors approved a $1.3 billion program budget for FY 2025 beginning July 1, 2024. This budget includes $80.9 million in projected costs for the overall work program, $79.9 million for regional operations, and the annual portion of the capital program is projected to be $683.2 million, of which $217.1 million will be passed through to local agencies.

FY 2025 Budget

Since the Board approved the $1.2 billion FY 2024 Annual Program Budget in May, SANDAG has received additional state and federal funds and an increase in revenue collection. In October 2023, the Board approved a budget amendment, adding $643 million in federal, state, and local revenue to advance more than 30 projects throughout the San Diego region over the next five years (with $8.2 million added to FY 2024).

FY 2024 Budget

At its May 27, 2022, meeting, the SANDAG Board of Directors approved a $1.04 billion program budget for FY 2023 beginning July 1, 2022. This budget includes $76.9 million in projected costs for the overall work program, $62.1 million for regional operations, and the annual portion of the capital program is projected to be $470.9 million, of which $215 million will be passed through to Caltrans District 11 and other local agencies. 

FY 2023 Budget
FY 2022/2023 Self-Certification 

At its May 14, 2021, meeting, the SANDAG Board of Directors approved a $1.13 billion program budget for FY 2022 beginning July 1, 2021. This budget includes $52.1 million in projected costs for the overall work program, $60.8 million for regional operations, and the annual portion of the capital program is projected to be $686.7 million, of which $317 million will be passed through to Caltrans District 11 and other local agencies. 

FY 2022 Budget 
FY 2021/2022 Self-Certification 

At its June 12, 2020, meeting, the SANDAG Board of Directors approved a $1.15 billion program budget for FY 2021 beginning July 1, 2020. This budget includes $46.1 million in projected costs for the overall work program, $62.9 million for regional operations, and the annual portion of the capital program is projected to be $746.2 million, of which $262.4 million will be passed through to Caltrans District 11. 

FY 2021 Program Budget 
FY 2020/2021 Self-Certification 

At its June 28, 2019, meeting, the SANDAG Board of Directors approved a $1.36 billion program budget for FY 2020 beginning July 1, 2019. This budget includes $52.4 million in projected costs for the overall work program, $54 million for regional operations, and the annual portion of the capital program is projected to be $934.3 million, of which $281.7 million will be passed through to Caltrans District 11. 

FY 2020 Program Budget  
FY 2019/2020 Self-Certification 

At its May 25, 2018, meeting, the SANDAG Board of Directors approved a $1.3 billion program budget for FY 2019 beginning July 1, 2018. This budget includes $43.5 million in projected costs for the overall work program, $67.6 million for regional operations, and the annual portion of the capital program is projected to be $916.6 million, of which $218 million will be passed through to Caltrans District 11. 

FY 2019 Program Budget 
FY 2018/2019 Self-Certification