San Diego Trolley: NEW Blue Line UCSD Extension

In 2021, San Diego MTS opened a new extension of the Blue Line Trolley from Old Town to UTC along Interstate 5. For this video, we will travel once again to San Diego County to take a look at this new project. We will follow the new route from UTC and UCSD south all the way to downtown San Diego and then back north to UTC again.

This video was made possible by my supporters on Patreon:

Adam Byrne
Bethany Chernay
Brian Zimmerman
Clarence Jackson
Delay In Block Productions
Jim Walker
Jovanni Cruz
Lyle C
Peter Della Flora
Thomas Jackson
Amtrak and AWVR Fan
ShadowSteel18
Paasha and Megan Mahdavi
Xander and Lucinda
Cristian C
Vinny G

And many more!

CoasterFan2105 is the home of all sorts of train and railroad related video content. Stop by every Friday at 9 AM Pacific time for an all new railroading adventure and be sure to check out all of my social media pages @coasterfan2105 for even more great railroad content. Thanks, and I'll see you down the line!

©2022 Mike Armstrong Media

[scotteakins]

I was one of the first passengers on this back in 81. Took it from 32nd st Naval Station to downtown area all the time. Enjoyed every trip. Brings back memories from my Navy years.

[johnlasky]

This is great to see. I started as a student and a worker at UCSD in 1985 and I just retired from staff in 2020, so I've seen a bit of the history and geography of this line. The university wanted nothing to do with this line in the 80s and 90s, but administrations come and go and the current one has made the extension a vital part of their planning.

I saw most of the construction near UCSD, and it was quite an enterprise, but this is just part of a larger project. Two automobile bridges over I-5 were also constructed, along with a bike/pedestrian path directly from campus to the Sorrento Valley Coaster Station. I enjoyed strolling that path on the way to the Coaster after work -- all downhill!

I think another quality feature of this line can be seen in your presentation. That is, from Old Town north, the line is fully grade separated! Thank you for sharing this, Mike!

[MainTrack]

Awesome! Thanks for this tour. I lived in San Diego County years ago when this line was still in the planning stages. I look forward to visiting again sometime and riding this expanded route.

[wolfgangpfeilergartenbahnd]

An interesting light rail system, similar to our trams. An excellent video. Thank you for showing me. I wish you a nice weekend.

[railwaysfan]

Very interresting Mike, i like to see and to learn about all transportation systems in US towns. Thanks.

[eveb]

Another great video. Thanks for sharing.

[adventuresofamtrakcascades]

Quite a fitting time to upload this as this month marks 1st anniversary of this extention opened. Great Video! 👍

[PrincessAmtrakMinamoto]

Cool video with San Diego Trolley Blue Line. 🙂👍🏻❤️💖

[StormySkyRailProductions]

Nice video of the trolley system in that part of the country. Enjoyed watching and have a nice rest of your Friday.(Steve)

[nickyyhap]

This is great to see it, ℹ sometimes pass it when I see my grandmother Marie in El Cajon.

[coolleo]

Wow, I didn’t know they are actually doing an extension!

[CraterFilms]

They remind me of the Blue Line in Charlotte, NC!

[YardLimit]

Nice video, Mike. Light rail doesn't get enough attention on youtube.

[SoCalOCRailfan]

Amazing video Mike! I truly love this USCD extension line. I’ve visited this USCD line in person at the USCD college campus and it is amazing. Thanks for making this video possible!

[peterwarner]

Can you do one on the LA Blue and Gold Line after Regional Connector opens later this year?/

[kevp]

Happy "EARLY" Thanksgiving Day, Mister Mike Armstrong. I Love You, Man. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[alexhaowenwong]

The Trolley has incredible potential. It rivaled the Portland MAX in 2019 total and per mile ridership. It recovered faster than any other US/Canadian LRT, even before the youth pass, even before the Mid Coast opening.

The Trolley also has two $4B under construction TODs (Riverwalk and SDSU Mission Valley) on the Green Line alone, and that's before counting anything in Downtown. What the Trolley needs most is double if not triple existing frequencies.

[TheLIRRFrenchie...]

I just love how the elevated structures fit so well in their area. Let the NIMBYs tell it, and it destroys the view 😑.

[Amtrakfan]

What is to come of the old siding and spur where the ck holiday car was held?

[BNSF]

cool one Mike. have you ever considered buying a drone with a camera for your videos? I think it would be cool