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Copper Line (San Diego Trolley)

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Copper Line
Trolley at Santee
Overview
StatusProposed, pending approval[1]
OwnerSan Diego Metropolitan Transit System
LocaleSan Diego, California
Termini
Stations4
Websitesdmts.com/inside-mts/current-projects/copper-line-east-county-connector
Service
TypeLight rail
SystemSan Diego Trolley
Operator(s)San Diego Trolley, Inc.
Rolling stockSingle car trains[1][2]
History
OpenedSeptember 1, 2024 (if approved)[1]
Technical
Number of tracks2 (El Cajon–Gillespie Field)
1 (Gillespie Field–Santee)
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
ElectrificationOverhead line, 600 V DC
Operating speed55 mph (89 km/h) (max)
Route map

Legend
 Santee
California 52.svg SR 52
 Gillespie Field
Arnele Avenue
I-8 (1961).svg I-8
 El Cajon
Greyhound Lines
Green Line
to 12th & Imperial
Orange Line
to Courthouse
Other service sharing track
Handicapped/disabled access All stations are accessible
This diagram:

The Copper Line, officially the Copper Line - East County Connector,[1] is a proposed line of the San Diego Trolley in East County, San Diego. If approved, it would operate as a shuttle between the El Cajon Transit Center and the Santee Town Center station, replacing the existing Green and Orange line service in that area. The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (SDMTS) proposed the Copper Line because the section of the line between Gillespie Field station and Santee Town Center has a single track, which has been the source of delays that impact both the Green and Orange lines. The Copper Line would alleviate these issues by creating a dedicated shuttle service disconnected from the larger Green and Orange lines.

History[edit]

The tracks between El Cajon and Santee originally opened on July 26, 1995, as part of the fourth extension of the Orange Line (known as the "East Line" until 1997).[3][4] Between Gillespie Field station and Santee Town Center, the line is single tracked and street running in the median strip of Cuyamaca Street.[5]

This single-tracked section has caused operational issues for the San Diego Trolley, which became worse after the opening of the Green Line in 2005, which shared the tracks between Santee and El Cajon with the Orange Line.[6] Since that time, SDMTS has tried several different service patterns to attempt to lessen the operational issues, including truncating the Orange Line at various stations in the area.[7][8] SDMTS reports that Green Line trains are often unable to complete their route to Santee and are turned around at Gillespie field at least once a day. The trolley also adds to congestion in the Santee area as the three-car trains (necessary on other sections of the line) operate with few passengers and stop traffic as they slowly traverse Cuyamaca Street.[1][2]

To address these issues, starting in the early 2020s, SDMTS began planning to add a third track and extending a platform at the El Cajon Transit Center, to allow shuttle trains to terminate there.[9] The SDMTS believes that Copper Line shuttle trains will alleviate these issues by creating a dedicated shuttle service disconnected from the larger Green and Orange lines. The SDMTS says that these shorter trains will also improve roadway traffic, since drivers at the railroad crossings on Mission Gorge Road and Cuyamaca Street will have shorter wait times as the single-car Copper Line trains pass.[1][2][10]

The MTS announced that it will accept public comments about this proposal until 1:00 PM on June 19, 2024.[1][2] Furthermore, the MTS Board of Directors will meet on June 20, to discuss whether to approve the Copper Line proposal or not.[1][2] MTS riders are invited to virtually attend the June 20 meeting.[1] If the Board of Directors approves the Copper Line, then service on it is scheduled to begin on September 1, 2024, running once every 15 minutes from 5:00 AM until midnight.[1][2]

Stations[edit]

See also: List of San Diego Trolley stations
Station Location Connections
Santee Santee
Gillespie Field
  • Car parking Park and ride: 175
Arnele Avenue El Cajon
  • Bus transport MTS: 115, 833
  • Car parking Park and ride: 65
El Cajon

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Copper Line - East County Connector". San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. April 29, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "San Diego MTS looking at adding new 'Copper Line' to Trolley system". FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  3. ^ "History". San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. May 22, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2024. JULY 26, 1995 - EL CAJON TRANSIT - Fourth East (Orange) Line segment opens between El Cajon Transit Center and Santee Town Center.
  4. ^ "History". San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. May 22, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2024. 1997 - BLUE LINE EXTENDS [...] MTDB renames South Line to Blue Line and East Line to Orange Line along with adding identification numbers for each Trolley Station.
  5. ^ "East extension means changes in routes, timetables". U-T San Diego. July 3, 2005. Archived from the original on February 24, 2014. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  6. ^ "MTS hopes new 'Copper Line' can improve trolley system's reliability". KPBS Public Media. May 7, 2024.
  7. ^ "September 2, 2012 Service Changes. Major Bus and Trolley Service Changes". San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. Archived from the original on April 30, 2015.
  8. ^ "April 29, 2018 Trolley Changes". San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. April 11, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2024. The Orange Line will also be extended in El Cajon to Arnele Avenue Station.
  9. ^ "Board of Directors – DRAFT MINUTES" (PDF). San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. May 12, 2022.
  10. ^ "San Diego tendría una nueva línea del Trolley: conoce la Copper Line" [San Diego would have a new Trolley line: meet the Copper Line]. SanDiegoRed (in Spanish). May 10, 2024. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
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