San Diego Budget Axes Multimodal Team at DOT

Why It Matters

Removing the multimodal team undermines San Diego’s Vision Zero goals and could increase crash rates, affecting public health and municipal liability. The budget shift signals a broader deprioritization of active‑transport infrastructure in a growing city.

Key Takeaways

• Multimodal team eliminated from San Diego DOT budget
• Bike lane projects delayed due to funding cuts
• Vision Zero speed plan remains unfunded
• Fatal 15 intersection safety projects retain funding
• Traffic deaths rising despite city’s safety initiatives

Pulse Analysis

The draft 2027 budget released by Mayor Gloria’s administration slashes the transportation department’s multimodal team, the group of traffic engineers responsible for designing bike lanes, pedestrian crossings, and other complete‑street elements. By removing these specialists, the city not only loses expertise but also jeopardizes projects already in the pipeline, such as protected bike corridors along the waterfront and curb‑side bike boxes in the Gaslamp District. The cuts come at a time when San Diego’s road‑safety budget is already strained, signaling a shift in fiscal priorities away from active‑transport infrastructure.

Advocates warn that the budget’s narrow focus threatens the city’s Vision Zero ambition, which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities. The unfunded Citywide Speed Management Plan would have lowered speed limits on major arterials, a proven method for reducing crash severity. While the budget preserves funding for the “Fatal 15” intersections—high‑collision hotspots—delays in bike‑lane construction and pedestrian‑safety upgrades could reverse recent gains in safety. Recent data show a steady uptick in traffic deaths, underscoring the urgency of sustained multimodal investment.

San Diego’s approach mirrors a broader national trend where municipalities trim multimodal spending to balance budgets, often at the expense of long‑term safety and climate goals. Cutting the multimodal team may yield short‑term savings, but the resulting project delays can increase maintenance costs and erode public confidence in government’s commitment to livable streets. Cities that retain dedicated multimodal staff typically see faster implementation of complete‑street projects and lower crash rates. Policymakers should consider alternative financing, such as state grants or public‑private partnerships, to keep safety‑critical programs on track.