Blue Line Trolley Extension to Eastern Chula Vista Advances

CHULA VISTA, CA — The long-awaited Blue Line trolley extension into eastern Chula Vista took a significant step forward Tuesday as the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) approved the final environmental impact report for the 13.1-mile project.

The extension would stretch from the current Blue Line terminus at San Ysidro to the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry, with five new stations planned throughout eastern Chula Vista, including stops near Olympic Parkway, Otay Ranch Town Center, and the future University of California San Diego campus.

"This is a game-changer for our community," said Chula Vista Mayor John McCann during Tuesday's SANDAG board meeting. "For too long, residents in eastern Chula Vista have been underserved by public transit. This extension will connect our growing neighborhoods to jobs, education, and opportunities throughout the region."

The project, estimated to cost $2.7 billion, has been in planning stages for over a decade. The extension would serve some of the fastest-growing areas in San Diego County, including the master-planned communities of Eastlake, Otay Ranch, and Millenia, where thousands of new homes have been built in recent years.

Construction is expected to begin in late 2025, with service starting in 2030. The new line would run primarily along State Route 905 and include stations at Palomar Street, H Street/Otay Valley, Olympic Parkway, Otay Mesa Road, and the international border crossing.

SANDAG estimates the extension will serve approximately 23,000 daily riders by 2035, reducing vehicle miles traveled by 2.8 million miles annually and cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 1,200 tons per year.

"This project represents more than just transportation infrastructure," said SANDAG Chair and San Diego County Supervisor Nora Vargas. "It's about equity, environmental justice, and ensuring that all communities in our region have access to reliable, clean public transit."

The approval comes as Chula Vista continues to experience rapid population growth. The city's eastern areas have seen particularly dramatic development, with major shopping centers like Otay Ranch Town Center and the upcoming UCSD campus drawing increased interest from residents and businesses.

However, the project still faces funding challenges. While SANDAG has secured federal grants totaling $1.2 billion, the agency must still identify sources for the remaining $1.5 billion needed for construction.

The extension will also include park-and-ride facilities and bicycle storage at each station, supporting the region's broader climate action goals. Environmental groups have praised the project as a crucial step toward reducing car dependency in one of the county's most car-reliant areas.

Public comment periods for the final design phases will begin next month, with community meetings scheduled throughout eastern Chula Vista in January and February.

The Blue Line currently serves 22 stations from downtown San Diego to the Mexican border, carrying approximately 40,000 passengers daily before the pandemic.