Supervisors authorize SANDAG grant applications totaling $850,000 for Camp Pendleton trail

Grants would address safety needs on the public San Diego Coastal Bike Path

The County of San Diego approved the application, along with acceptance if awarded, for a pair of active transportation grants which would improve a bicycle trail through Camp Pendleton.

A 5-0 San Diego County Board of Supervisors vote March 18 authorized a resolution to the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) for two Active Transportation Grant Program applications totaling $850,000. The funding would address current safety deficiencies along the public San Diego Coastal Bike Path.

"The biggest gap we have in San Diego County is through Camp Pendleton," said Supervisor Greg Cox. "That's also part of the California Coastal Trail."

SANDAG's Active Transportation Grant Program funds planning efforts for bicycle-oriented and pedestrian-oriented transportation. The grant program has $2.25 million available for capital projects and $750,000 for non-capital projects. Only SANDAG member agencies are eligible to receive the grant funds; although the Department of Defense is a non-voting advisory member of the SANDAG board and has input during board meetings, the Marine Corps can collaborate with member agencies but cannot apply directly for funds. The Marine Corps requested the assistance of the County of San Diego, which is a SANDAG member agency, in the grant application process.

An application for $440,000 would construct a dedicated bike lane on each side of an existing 100-foot bridge which crosses Las Flores Creek on Stuart Mesa Road. The existing 24-foot pavement area with guardrails on both sides creates a potential conflict between bicyclists and motor vehicles on the roadway which is used by large military vehicles and a North County Transit District bus line as well as by private vehicles.

The application for $410,000 would provide funding to construct dedicated bike lanes on each side of a 250-foot earthen bridge on Stuart Mesa Road. The earthen bridge would be widened by using crib wall construction to avoid sensitive habitat. That part of Stuart Mesa Road also has large military vehicles and NCTD buses which can create safety issues for bicyclists.

"It's not for the Marine Corps. It's for the civilian population," said Supervisor Bill Horn. "I think it's a really good addition."

The County of San Diego would be the official grant recipient with the Marine Corps considered a sub-grantee. The county would be able to delegate project responsibilities to the Marine Corps including funding management, project reporting, and submitting invoices directly to SANDAG, although the county would be responsible for compliance with the grant agreement requirements. SANDAG expects the grants to be announced in August 2015.