SOLANA BEACH, Calif. — Construction plans to shore up part of the eroding bluffs in Del Mar are derailing travel plans for a many San Diegans and tourists.
Starting Saturday morning through Sunday night, train service on the Coaster and Amtrack between Solana Beach and San Diego will be replaced by bus as needed bluff repairs in Del Mar, near 15th Street, are undertaken.
While most passengers understand the critical need for this, many were unaware of the change.
A “bus bridge” will take passengers to the Santa Fe Depot if heading south, and to the Oceanside Transit Center if traveling north.
A steel reinforced concrete wall will be constructed to shore up the railroad tracks. This will be the second repairs after heavy rains and the ensuing run-off eroded the edge of the bluff along the rail road tracks over the Thanksgiving holiday.
Next month, the fourth of six planned construction phases will begin as part of a long-range plan to stabilize the nearly two miles of bluffs in Del Mar. A potential alternative plant to move the tracks, which has yet to be fully studied, could cost upwards of three billion dollars.
The focus for now is to secure the bluffs and the tracks where they currently run.
Regular service will resume Monday morning, although, transit officials warn that commuters should anticipate delays of up to 15 minutes as the repair work continues.