CAMPUS NOTICE

 

OFFICE OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR –
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT & PLANNING

January 27, 2011

ALL ACADEMICS, STAFF AND STUDENTS AT UCSD


SUBJECT:    Mid-Coast Light Rail Project

I am very excited to update you on significant progress toward the addition of trolley service to our campus. Since our first informational meeting on campus in May 2010, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) has taken a number of important steps toward initiating construction of an 11-mile extension of the existing San Diego Trolley system from the Old Town Transit Center to our campus and the North University City community.

Our campus is working closely with SANDAG to maximize the benefits to our students, faculty, staff and visitors. It is gratifying to all who are involved with this project to know that when it’s completed as early as 2015, the so-called Mid-Coast Light Rail Transit Project (LRT) will mark a new era for our campus transportation infrastructure. The trolley will lessen the traffic burden on adjacent streets and highways, improve air quality and provide a convenient mass transportation connection to a diverse number of San Diego County destinations, including our nearby sister institutions of higher education and the international border.

A work group with diverse campus membership, including faculty, staff and students was charged by Chancellor Marye Anne Fox in August 2010 to work with SANDAG on the project design to ensure that campus concerns are addressed to the greatest extent possible.

The project’s construction, which is anticipated to begin in 2013, will result in traffic disruptions and other impacts. A website (http://trolley.ucsd.edu) has been developed by the LRT work group to communicate accurate and timely information to the campus community during the project’s planning, design and construction.

I know that many of you are as excited about this greatly improved campus access as I am. I value your support as well as your patience as we embark on this significant improvement to our transportation system that will benefit the campus and the community for generations.




Gary C. Matthews
Vice Chancellor
Resource Management and Planning