SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- A bridge built over the San Diego River officially opened to rail traffic on Monday.
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) announced the completion of the second bridge in the San Diego River Double Track project. Construction began in fall 2016, with the first bridge opening for rail traffic in 2018.
The first train to travel over the newly constructed second bridge went by just before 6 a.m. Monday.
SANDAG project manager Ramon Ruelas called the opening of the second bridge an important milestone.
"It's very important, and now we'll be able to increase efficiency, increase opportunity for transfers to be on time, we'll increase capacity of this rail corridor in this area as well," said Ruelas. "It's all beneficial for the entire region."
The nearly $94 million project is part of SANDAG's efforts to double-track the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) corridor. LOSSAN is the second busiest passenger rail line in the country.
Both freight and passenger trains now have the ability to travel uninterrupted in both directions along the seven-mile stretch that runs from Garnet Avenue/Balboa Avenue to the Santa Fe Depot downtown.
"It does create another choice for commuters who want to go up and down the I-5 corridor for getting to work or whatever it is they want to go to," said Ruelas.
