Airport mulling high-speed rail, network links

Could a Bay Area to San Diego bullet train be a real possibility?

San Diego County Regional Airport Authority and local government representatives unveiled transportation designs that connect California’s major cities, regional airports and mass transit hubs via high-speed rail and organized flight as the vision San Diego planners have for the future of the San Diego International Airport at Lindbergh Field.

One proposed concept shared during a community forum June 3 included connecting the San Francisco Bay area to the San Diego region via a high-speed rail that would travel beneath downtown San Diego through Lindbergh Field to Gen. A.L. Rodriquez International Airport in Tijuana, Mexico.

California High Speed Rail Authority representative Mike Zdon said connecting the cities and airports could become a reality as municipalities and the federal government work hand in hand with private companies. A $40 billion project like that could be done in less than a decade, said Zdon.

“There’s a good chance that California could lead the way with high-speed rail,” Zdon said.

During the community forum, airport leaders also updated the community on ongoing plans for about $600 million worth of improvements to Lindbergh Field, including 10 additional gates at Terminal 2 and a dual-level, curbside passenger way. Officials expect to break ground on those projects July 8.

A panel of government leaders and spokespersons presented the concepts during the forum hosted by the Peninsula Community Planning Board at the Corky McMillin Cos. Event Center at Liberty Station.

District 2 City Council representative Kevin Faulconer made a brief appearance to address the small crowd but left early for another engagement.

Representatives from the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, San Diego Association of Governments, the city of San Diego, the California High Speed Rail Authority and Point Loma People for Progress were among the presenters answering questions from the audience.

Audience questions over a second runway, a second airport and long-term improvements peppered the discussion.

“This is the only airport we have, so let’s make it the best it can be, because it’s going to be there for a very long time,” said Keith Wilschetz, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority representative and director of airport planning.

Bruce Boland, a retired rear admiral and now an Airport Authority representative, said the community shouldn’t worry about a second runway at Lindbergh Field because it would be difficult to get that “by” the Peninsula community politically. He added the Airport Authority is not looking at plans to build a second airport just yet because of a mandate from current state legislation to have the region’s existing airports to first work together more efficiently.

Senate Bill 10, authored by state Sen. Christine Kehoe, took effect this year. The bill reworks the makeup of the Airport Authority’s board of directors and cut some executive committee members’ pay. It also directs the authority to plan ahead for the region’s airport network that links 16 airports throughout the county, according to airport authority officials.

Though Boland said the Airport Authority isn’t looking for another airport location, many who attended said the authority should look at long-term alternatives.

Bill Klees, chair of the Point Loma Association, said he thinks the airport should be moved for safety and economic reasons.

“My idea is to move the airport, but our chance for that was a long time ago,” Klees said.

Suhail Khalil, moderator and Peninsula Community Planning Board (PCPB) representative to the Airport Authority, opened the floor to community discussion and some debate.

“This forum was an opportunity for an open and sincere debate regarding the ultimate buildout of Lindbergh Field concerning our community,” wrote Khalil in an e-mail to community members.

“The audience was encouraged to come up with pertinent questions to suggest alternative solutions … PCPB member Jay Shumaker was provided a booth to exhibit an alternative land-use plan if [San Diego International Airport] was relocated.”

The “Shumaker Site” reveals a host of opportunity to redevelop the current Lindbergh Field into a tourist destination while building a world-class airport somewhere on the outskirts of the city. One version of a proposed plan uses MCAS Miramar as a potential future location.

But with near-term expansion of an additional 10 gates at Terminal 2, along with other modifications underway and a long-term plan still being conceived, the meeting left at least one Point Loma couple unconvinced that plans for Lindbergh Field successfully addresses San Diego’s future economic needs.

“What’s going to change in our economic development to help us grow San Diego as a region?” asked Steve Pardue, a 2½-year Point Loma resident. “Nothing tonight said any of that. It did not address these issues at all.”

Sebastian Ruiz writes for the Peninsula Beacon, where this story was originally published.

Tags: SDNN

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