Transportation: Port, Sandag Plan a Joint
Hearing Late This Month
There have been nearly two dozen studies over the past 20 years to determine the future of the region’s passenger and air cargo service.
Over the past two decades, however, the studies have sought to answer the nagging question of whether Lindbergh Field should be expanded or completely replaced. With that come the questions of where to relocate the airport, how long it will take to build and how many jobs will be created as a result.
A recent $325,000 study ordered by the San Diego Association of Governments and the San Diego Unified Port District focused on the economic outlook of the region’s future air cargo and passenger needs.
“Everyone assumes that if we meet the air transportation demands, it will quantify a benefit,” said Sandag spokesman Garry Bonelli. “(It’s assumed) if we had an airport that could operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week it would boost the economy, but nobody tried to quantify that.”
The report says if the air transportation demand is met, the gross regional product would increase from $95 billion today to $167 billion in 2030. The report also indicates more than 500,000 jobs would be added , an increase of 32 percent.
On the other hand, if the region does not meet the demands, the gross regional product could lose from $29.6 billion to $93.8 billion over the next 30 years, the report says.
The report was recently accepted by Sandag and port officials, enabling the agencies to open it up for public discussion.
So far, forums have been held in 15 of the county’s 18 cities. The most recent forum was held Jan. 5 in North County with coastal and inland chambers of commerce.
David Ish, CEO of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce, said he is more concerned about the supporting infrastructure of the airport.
“Obviously, we’re some distance from the airport,” he said. “From the standpoint of both freight shipping and passenger travel, I think one of the key things is being able to get to the airport in a reasonable fashion.”
Infrastructure issues also were of concern to other North County representatives, but the study did not focus on a site for the airport or infrastructure issues, Bonelli said.
The analysis was conducted to show what the region stands to gain or lose if the demand for air transportation service is or is not met. Along with the gross regional product, the analysis forecasts jobs, tax revenue and personal income in the region over the next three decades.
A final vote on the analysis is expected Jan. 26 at a joint meeting between the Port District and Sandag. If it is approved, the next step will be for the agencies to decide if they want to meet the demands and how to do it.
“It boils down to them either saying it was a good analysis and noting, filing and putting it away, or they could say let’s look at how best to meet the future demands,” Bonelli said.
