Light Rail Transit Association   URBAN TRANSIT NEWS 2005

San Diego expansion: On Saturday, 8 July 2005, San Diego's light rail transit (LRT) system - the San Diego Trolley - passed two new historic milestones: (1) the opening of the 5.8-mile Mission Valley East extension (called the Green Line), and (2) the opening of the Trolley's first subway station, beneath San Diego State University (SDSU). The opening of the line was celebrated with huge fanfare attended by a crowd and more than a dozen civic and political leaders.

The new extension, which includes a 4000-ft/1210-m subway tunnel, lengthy sections on elevated viaduct, four new stations (including the SDSU subway station), and 11 new low-floor railcars from Siemens (similar to the light rail vehicles in Houston's MetroRail fleet), cost USD506 million - about USD87 million per mile. This brings the Trolley system to three branches with 54 miles and is expected to add 11,000 daily rider-trips to the trolley system, which is already carrying over 70,000 rider-trips a day.

For further information, maps and pictures visit the Light Rail Now! website

12 July 2005