The San Diego Regional Airport Authority is in the process of examining sites to replace Lindbergh Field. Once the Authority makes a decision, the matter will go to voters for approval.

The necessity of replacing Lindbergh has long been a matter of controversy. Many business interests view its inadequacy as the greatest single obstacle to growth and development in the region. Compared to other metropolitan areas of similar size, Lindbergh's 614 acres and one runway make it very small indeed. Adding to the problem is the fact that existing road access to the facility is congested yet any significant improvements would potentially interfere with the vistas of San Diego Harbor. Not everyone, however, believes that Lindbergh is inadequate. A UC San Diego economics professor believes that Lindbergh Field's lone runway is enough to handle San Diego County's air travel demand long into the future. See story from North County Times

The obvious problem in developing a new airport site is that airports require an extensive amount of land - land that is no longer available. Moreover, even if land is located, almost no one wants to live near the noisy runways so local opposition to any selected site will be fierce. If distant sites are considered, the transportation time and effort needed to reach the site constitutes a major expense and inconvenience.

One solution is to evaluate military sites. Despite protests from base officials, Camp Pendleton, Miramar Marine Corps Air Station and North Island Naval Air Station are being examined to see if their air fields could be shared with commercial passenger and cargo aircraft or become home to a new airport. See story from North County Times Miramar in particular is attractive because it is situated almost precisely in the center of the greater San Diego urban area. But the likelihood of obtaining cooperation from the military is doubtful at best.

Two distant sites under consideration, Campo and Imperial County would be especially inconvenient for North County residents. Such a plan, providing utilities, a high-speed train link and improved roadways would cost about $17 billion if construction started today, according to cost estimates. See story from North County Times