by
Shift San Diego
| Feb 16, 2018
Now that 2018 is here, we wanted to take time to reflect on all the wonderful moments we shared last year and thank everyone who considered alternative transportation for the first time, changed up their commuting routine or reached out to us with questions about construction. We look forward to the new partnerships and efforts that await us in the new year.
Here are some highlights of last year of working with inspiring employers, expanding our outreach within the community and continuing to see this dynamic neighborhood move forward with exciting projects:
Employer Events and Engagement
The Shift team worked with over 60 employer sites last year to help develop/enhance companies’ commuter benefits programs and transportation demand management initiatives. For example, the Shift team participated in Biocom’s Sustainability Event, where a SANDAG/Shift representative was part of a panel that discussed sustainability efforts throughout the region.

Another example was coordinating and hosting vanpool events. Through various employer events and promotions, there were 139 vanpools formed and maintained in the Golden Triangle/University City last year. Back in March, Illumina hosted a vanpool formation event for their employees as shown here.

Bike to Work Day (May 18, 2017)
We celebrated Bike to Work Day with more than 10,500 visits at 100 pit stops throughout the region. This included eleven stops in the Golden Triangle area, like this one adjacent to the Scripps Health campus.

Shift Expansion Press Conference (July 26, 2017)
In July, SANDAG announced the launch of the expansion of Shift in the Golden Triangle area. This expansion builds on Shift’s success providing transportation solutions to also provide a one-stop shop for construction information and project coordination as the Golden Triangle enters a period of major multi-year construction. We were joined by each of our program partners in this expansion: Mayor Kevin Faulconer and Councilmember Barbara Bry from the City of San Diego, Brian Gregory from UC San Diego, Paul Jablonski from MTS, and Allan Kosup from Caltrans.
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Back to School (September 2017)
The shift team was out at UC San Diego with Energy 103.7 at the start of the school year to promote alternative transportation, the use of the U-pass among students and the use of the eco pass among staff and faculty.

Rideshare Week (October 2-6, 2017)
More than 1,000 commuters pledged to carpool, vanpool, or take transit during National Rideshare Week. UC San Diego student Kailey was one of three 2017 Rideshare Week pledge winners to win a Fitbit for their commitment to alternative transportation. She pledged to carpool with a friend to and from campus on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

SANDAG Diamond Awards (October 2017)
67 employers countywide were recognized by iCommute with Diamond Awards for their outstanding efforts to encourage workers to use environmentally sustainable transportation choices. 17 of the recognized employers are located within the greater Golden Triangle area, demonstrating this area’s leadership in the region.

Opening of the south section of the I-5/Genesee bridge (November 2017)
Work has been underway to replace the existing six-lane Genesee Avenue overpass with a ten-lane structure that will include additional vehicle lanes, new bike lanes and sidewalks, and better accommodate current and future traffic demands in the San Diego region. As of November 28, the new lanes were opened. Work will now begin on the pedestrian bridge and bike lane to allow for different modes of transportation through this corridor.

Installation of Gilman Bridge Falsework (November 2017)
The first concrete pour for the Gilman Drive Bridge, an iconic new crossing that will soon gracefully span I-5 just north of the La Jolla Village Drive interchange began on November 30. The new bridge will provide a much-needed connection between Gilman Drive on UC San Diego’s west campus and Medical Center Drive on the east campus.

Our sincerest thanks to the employers, commuters, and residents in the Golden Triangle for your patience as crews work on transportation improvements and for working with Shift to promote sustainable commutes during construction. Together, we are shifting into a lifestyle that embraces carpooling, vanpooling, taking transit, walking or biking to work. Cheers and onward to 2018!