Countywide

Legislation giving San Diego County the right to build roads with sales tax revenue now reserved for public transit projects was approved Wednesday in the Assembly and sent to Gov. George Deukmejian.

The bill, by Assemblywoman Sunny Mojonnier (R-Encinitas), would allow the county to use the transit funds for rural roads in unincorporated areas of the county.

Before the funds could be used for road building, the San Diego Assn. of Governments would have to hold a public hearing and determine that the area’s public transit needs could be met without the money projected for road projects.

The same flexibility already applies in counties of fewer than 500,000 people.

The Assembly approved the measure, 70-5.