DEL MAR, Calif. — SANDAG is moving full steam ahead with the next phase of the San Diego LOSSAN Rail Realignment Project.
The project aims to move the tracks off the coastal bluffs and place them inland.
SANDAG has revealed three possible alternative routes that would move nearly two miles of tracks off the edge of the eroding seaside bluffs
"The three most routes that we think are the most viable, the three routes that we think have the greatest potential to minimize environmental harm and community impact," said Keith Greer, the agency’s deputy director of regional planning.
After gathering public feedback, SANDAG revealed three likely locations, labeled Alternatives A, B, AND C – all three options include tunnels.
Alternative A
Alternative A goes along the I-5 and is so far the favorite among the community. It includes the longest tunnel of the three and would start in Solana Beach. It’s the longest route and also the most expensive.
"It makes perfect sense. It does make perfect sense, it's the safer place for the tracks to be. Ultimately, especially with the inevitable erosion that's happening there's not a whole lot that can be done," said Del Mar resident, Sarah Zeiler.
Alternative B, C
Alternative B is the straightest route and Alternative C has the shortest tunnel.
“The project has hit a milestone right now," said Greer.
The project is now at the start of the environmental process.
The tracks through San Diego carry commuter and passenger trains, freight and serve our military bases.
Greer says an alternative route is essential to improve rail service and stabilize the bluffs, which is threatened by rising sea levels and erosion.
“Very important to the economy of San Diego, very important to commuters and its threatened right now from being stopped because of erosion. After multiple millions of dollars spent on this - it’s time to think long-term, where do these tracks belong," said Greer. “It’s very problematic from a train operation perspective. For the last 20 years, we have done 5 stabilization efforts where we try to hold back the erosion that threatens the railroad tracks. And so after 5 [efforts], after multiple millions of dollars spent on this - it’s time to think long-term, where do these tracks belong."
The public now has six weeks to give feedback on the choices.
“We’ll collect and gather all the comments. Based upon those, we’ll have a determination on which alignments will go into the draft environment impact report, which will be a compilation of all the environmental impacts that could occur with the potential alignments," he added.
"I think it's important for people who own the property and who have lived here for a long time to have a say. It's a big deal, it's a big project," added Zeiler.
SANDAG is set to host a public meeting for the community to provide comments on the environmental process and give people a chance to meet with the project team on June 18 starting at 6 p.m. at the San Diego Marriott Del Mar.
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