Written by Alyssa Burley.
On April 24, 2015, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) released its draft San Diego Forward: The Regional Plan (Draft Regional Plan) for public comment. The Draft Regional Plan combines the Regional Comprehensive Plan (RCP) adopted in July 2004 with the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) adopted in October 2011, into one comprehensive document.
The Draft Regional Plan “serves as a blueprint for how [the] region will grow, and how SANDAG will invest in transportation infrastructure that will provide more choices, strengthen the economy, promote a healthy environment, and support thriving communities,” reads the plan.
SANDAG’s vision for the plan is “to provide innovative mobility choices and planning to support a sustainable and healthy region, a vibrant economy and an outstanding quality of life.”
Over the next 35 years, $204 billion will be spent on a comprehensive, interconnected transportation system throughout San Diego County. That means construction aggregates will be in demand for the manufacture of asphalt and concrete products used in the maintenance and construction of roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects throughout the region.
Click image to view document.
The plan also encourages smart growth – compact, efficient, environmentally-sensitive development near existing infrastructure, and urban and jobs centers. The goal is to increase populations in the existing developed areas while preserving open space and natural resources in the eastern areas of the county. Redevelopment of existing population centers will require significant construction aggregate materials from local sources; thus putting pressure on the local producers to increase production.
The Draft Regional Plan Appendix C., page 18, shows a map of potential aggregate supply sites throughout the county. The majority of the known supplies are located north of I-52, west of the I-67, east of I-15 and south of I-78 (MCAS Miramar), and along I-76 east of I-15 (Pauma Valley). However, there are potential areas scattered throughout the western part of the county which is where most of the county’s residents live and work. The eastern areas of the county are mostly unclassified.
According to the San Diego 2050 Regional Transportation Plan, the region doesn’t have enough permitted construction aggregate supplies to satisfy the anticipated 50-year demand. The region will have to either pay more for materials imported from other areas, or permit additional local sites. Permitting local sites will ensure our region can maintain its existing infrastructure at minimum cost and improve its residents’ quality of life.
Alyssa Burley is the community outreach and marketing manager for EnviroMINE, Inc.
Resources:
San Diego Forward: The Regional Plan Fact Sheet
2050 Regional Transportation Plan Fact Sheet
Regional Comprehensive Plan Fact Sheet