Collaboration with Imperial County
Imperial County is a member of the Borders Committee, helping to provide oversight for planning activities that impact the borders of the San Diego region. In addition, SANDAG staff coordinates regular planning meetings with Imperial County counterparts to exchange information on key transportation planning projects and studies and explore collaboration opportunities.
In March 2014, the Imperial County Transportation Commission (ICTC), in partnership with Caltrans, SANDAG, and the State of Baja California (SIDUE), began the California/Baja California Pedestrian and Bicycle Transportation Access Study, a multi-phased project to analyze pedestrian and bicycle access at all six of the California-Baja California land ports of entry (POE). The study aims to improve travel experiences for people walking or bicycling across the Baja California-California border. The study examined existing conditions at each of the six POEs, gathered ideas on improvements from border travelers, community groups, and public agencies, and recommended ways to make walking and biking trips safer, easier, and more comfortable. ICTC adopted the final report in February 2015.
In March 2009, the Borders Committee accepted the San Diego - Imperial County I-8 Corridor Strategic Plan. This study was funded through a grant from Caltrans and identified issues, established goals and objectives, and developed interregional transportation, housing, and employment strategies to ensure adequate levels of service on the I-8 corridor. It also identified employment opportunities in Imperial County. It integrated intelligent growth principles into planned land use/transportation projects that benefit the quality of life in the San Diego/Imperial County regions.
Since the plan's completion, we're making strides toward the goal of exploring opportunities to expand ridesharing and other elements of the 511 service to Imperial County. Staff continues to monitor progress on implementing the San Diego-Imperial County I-8 Corridor Strategic Plan strategies.
Collaboration with Orange County
SANDAG coordinates with Orange County representatives on regional transportation, land use, and environmental issues. SANDAG staff convenes regular planning meetings with Orange County counterparts to exchange information on crucial transportation planning projects and studies and to explore opportunities for collaboration.
In 2010, the SANDAG Board of Directors approved the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) as the newest advisory member of the Borders Committee. SCAG is the largest council of governments in the United States, functioning as the Metropolitan Planning Organization for six counties: Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Orange, Riverside, and Imperial. As an advisory member of the Borders Committee, SCAG helps provide oversight on planning activities that impact the borders of the San Diego region.
Collaboration with Southwestern Riverside County
The Interstate 15 Interregional Partnership (I-15 IRP) is a voluntary compact formed in 2001 between local elected officials representing the Western Riverside Council of Governments, SANDAG, the Riverside County Transportation Commission, and the Riverside Transit Agency, as well as Caltrans and other affected agencies and organizations.
The primary goal of the I-15 IRP is to foster collaborative strategies in economic development, transportation, and housing that will improve the quality of life for residents in both counties by reducing the impacts of interregional commuting. By creating more jobs in housing-rich areas and more housing in jobs-rich areas, workers have more opportunities to live closer to work, reducing the need for long-distance commuting. Centered on I-15, this two-county commute corridor extends from central San Diego to the cities of Lake Elsinore, Perris, and Hemet.
Through various grants, the partner agencies could complete three phases of the partnership. The emphasis for Phase III was to develop comprehensive, strategic implementation plans in all three focus areas: transportation, housing, and economic development.
In addition, Riverside County serves as an advisory member on the Borders Committee, helping to provide oversight for planning activities that impact the borders of the San Diego region. SANDAG and Riverside County staff meet periodically to explore opportunities for continued collaboration.
