Midway Bus Lanes Face Major Challenges
Midway, San Diego — The City of San Diego’s Planning Commission voted on September 25, 2025, to approve the Midway Rising project with RideSD’s recommendation to move the bus lanes to phase 1. However, a lawsuit by coastal conservatives seeks to prevent new people from living near the coast.
The Bus Lanes
Midway Rising is a redevelopment project proposed for the Pechanga Sports Arena. The project proposes, among many things:
Over 4,200 homes
A 16,000 seat arena
14 acres of public space
Bus lanes on:
Rosecrans Street between Sports Arena Boulevard and Kemper Street (both directions)
Sports Arena Boulevard between Kemper Street and Camino Del Rio West (both directions)
Sports Arena Boulevard between W Point Loma Boulevard and Kemper Street (westbound only)
The bus lanes would provide a reliable & competitive connection between Midway Rising and Old Town Transit Center. The bus is currently ineffective during events days the arena—it gets stuck in the gridlock.
A similar bus lanes concept was proposed by RideSD at the Midway planning board meeting on June 2024. The Midway Rising plans were released for public input in April 2025.
The Planning Commission Hearing
The lanes were originally proposed for phase 2 of the project after the new arena was built. RideSD spoke at the Planning Commission hearing and submitted a coalition letter requesting they be implemented in Phase 1.
The Commissioners agreed and unanimously voted to amend the development agreement to require the bus lanes in Phase 1.
Commissioner Boomhower made the motion to amend the agreement, stating “I think those [bus lanes] should be included in phase 1”.
“2,100 parking spaces for the venue, and this is a 16,000 seat venue. [Transit] is totally necessary” added Commissioner Renger.
“If we want this to be successful public transit, we have to move with it to make that success”, said Commissioner Malbrough.
RideSD’s coalition letter included environmental & mobility organizations such as Circulate San Diego, Climate Action Campaign, San Diego 350, San Diego County Bike Coalition, and BikeSD.
The Midway Rising project now heads to City Council for their final approval.
The Lawsuit
San Diegans voted twice to remove a ban on housing above 30 feet in Midway, a neighborhood near the coast. However, coastal conservatives sued to prevent more homes from being built near them. Their lawsuit was successful in reinstating the ban.
The Midway Rising project is over 30 feet tall.
According to the Union-Tribune, the Midway Rising team believes they can use the State Density Bonus law to keep the project alive. This law, which was advanced by Circulate San Diego, legalizes affordable housing regardless of local height limits.
Got questions, tips, or feedback? Send us an email via news@ridesd.org
Published October 18, 2025. Updated October 19 to reflect the lawsuit update.