San Diego asking for $450 million of state bond money

San Diego asking for $450 million of state bond money San Diego County officials plan to request $450 million from the state's $1.9 billion road bond money to improve border crossings and bridges at the Port of San Diego, despite readily admitting that chance are slim that all the funds will be approved.
   The funds, approved by voters under Proposition 1b in November, will spread nearly $20 billion out over the next several years for infrastructure and goods movement projects throughout the state.
   Projects to improve the area's U.S.-Mexico border crossings are high on the San Diego County officials' wish list, including $150 million for a new rail track connecting the Port of San Diego with Mexico. Freight trains from the port are limited to nighttime movement because they share tracks with San Diego public transit.
   County officials also want the state to dole out $150 million for highway upgrades between Imperial Beach and the Otay Mesa border crossing. The county is requesting an additional $100 million as part of a $1 billion project to upgrade track service on the coastal passenger rail corridor.
   The state will determine where the funds are to be disbursed later this year.