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.