The San Diego Association of Governments has approved roughly $55 million in grants for 36 transportation and climate projects across 14 cities and the county, all through the TransNet Smart Growth Incentive Program Cycle 6. It is the biggest single SGIP funding round since the program launched, with officials saying nearly $45 million is headed to construction work and about $10.8 million to planning and climate action efforts. Several of the capital projects are slated to break ground in 2026 and wrap up within roughly 42 months.
According to a SANDAG release, the Cycle 6 awards fall into three buckets: $44.6 million for 15 capital projects, $8.8 million for 14 planning efforts, and $2 million for seven climate action planning projects. The money reaches 14 cities, including the County of San Diego, and represents the largest SGIP cycle since the program began 17 years ago. Before Cycle 6, the program had distributed about $59 million across five rounds to more than 70 projects in the region.
As reported by the Times of San Diego, the SANDAG board approved the grants at its Jan. 23 meeting. Local standouts in the funding list include nearly $3.5 million for Oceanside's Coast Highway corridor work, about $3.5 million for the Chollas Creek to Bayshore Bikeway in San Diego, roughly $3.48 million for corridor improvements in National City, and east county intersection upgrades in Lemon Grove at about $3.5 million.
Which Projects Scored Funding
The agency's award list shows capital dollars targeting curb extensions, high-visibility crosswalks, sidewalks, bike lanes, ADA-compliant ramps, and other complete-street upgrades. Several grants top $3 million and aim to tie neighborhoods more closely to transit lines and job centers. SGIP funding also covers planning work for corridor studies and implementation plans, along with a smaller share reserved for climate action planning and monitoring, according to the SANDAG announcement.
Local Impact and Next Steps
Some of the winning projects have been waiting in the wings for years. The Chollas Creek to Bayshore Bikeway segment, for example, has earlier environmental documents, including a 2016 Mitigated Negative Declaration for portions of the route. Community groups focused on creek restoration and better walking and biking access have pushed for this type of investment, arguing it can bring health and climate benefits to neighborhoods that have historically seen less infrastructure spending.
Cities and the county will now move into the less glamorous phase of the work, negotiating grant agreements, locking in designs, finishing permitting and organizing public outreach before shovels hit the ground.
“These projects improve the health and quality of life for our local communities in the San Diego region,” SANDAG Chair Lesa Heebner said, as reported by the Times of San Diego. Residents should keep an eye out for city notices about design hearings and construction schedules as the region shifts from planning to on-the-ground work over the next one to three years.
