San Diego’s Mid-Coast Trolley Project this week took delivery of the final of 45 Siemens Mobility S700 Light Rail Vehicles needed for service on the city’s new streetcar route. The Mid-Coast Trolley will extend trolley service from the Santa Fe Depot in Downtown San Diego to the University Community area, serving major activity centers such as Old Town, UC San Diego, and University Towne Centre. The 11-mile extension has cost $2.1 billion. 

“This is an exciting time at MTS. With the Mid-Coast Trolley fleet now complete, it signifies that we are nearing the end of construction for the Mid-Coast Trolley project – one of the largest infrastructure developments in San Diego’s history,” said Nathan Fletcher, MTS Board Chair and San Diego County Supervisor. “The California Transportation Commission helped make this day possible. It provided funding for these Trolleys and many other transit projects in San Diego that are a catalyst for economic growth and cleaner air.” 

The extension has encouraged UC San Diego to build a downtown campus, as well as new mixed-use projects that are being planned along the whole corridor from Old Town to University City. MTS anticipates beginning service in late 2021. —Passenger Train Journal Staff.