SANDAG is Advancing its Plan to Route the Train Inland
SANDAG’s preferred alignments route the freight train directly into established neighborhoods. There are safer options.
Routing the Freight Train into Residential Neighborhoods Only Trades One Dangerous Train Route for Another. Now is the time for SANDAG to move the freight train to a safer location -- away from homes. Routing a freight train into established neighborhoods is inherently dangerous & poses numerous risks, including ongoing environmental pollution, dangerous cargo, and geological stability issues.
SANDAG’s “Preferred” Alignments
The LOSSAN rail corridor serves as a vital link for passenger and freight movements in the San Diego region, and SANDAG is responsible for overseeing the San Diego portion of the corridor. Although SANDAG has stated that one of their primary goal for the project is Safety Improvements, they have identified two preferred alignments that route the double-tracked freight train directly into and through established neighborhoods. Alternatively, the tunnel needs to be routed away from homes, and the portals sited away from residential neighborhoods. It is SANDAG’s goal for the train to travel at 110 mph through these communities, proposing that a shorter travel time could increase ridership. That line of thinking is understandable. However, the straight line that SANDAG would like is what places the freight train directly under homes, at as little depth as 28 feet. What is surprising, is that SANDAG had an I-5 Alignment that routed the train away from homes, but eliminated it because it was only 84 seconds faster than the current route. Common sense would promote that the train curve east, away from homes and toward the Interstate 5, which is zoned as a transportation corridor.
SANDAG Prioritizes Speed Over Safety
Rail safety has become a primary focus of the DOT over the last year, as the nation watched the unfolding of the East Palestine derailment disaster. Although there was no immediate loss of life, the environmental and human health ramifications are still being realized and mitigated, over a year later and at a cost of more than $1.1 billion to the rail operator. Unfortunately, derailments are not uncommon. U.S. rail freight carriers reported 172 derailments on their main lines between February and October 2023, up from 152 derailments in the same period in 2022. Why a modern transportation management agency would propose a freight train be routed directly into and through established residential neighborhoods is alarming. Especially when there is a safer alternative.
After attending many meetings with SANDAG Outreach, Environmental, Project Management and Engineering personnel, community stakeholders have come to realize that SANDAG prioritizes “Travel Time” over all other criteria, including Environmental Impacts and Community Impacts. It is time for local communities to come together to promote safer routes for the train through our region.
Fortunately, there are viable alternatives that are safer for people and the environment. The train can be routed to the I-5, which is zoned as a transportation corridor. The following alignments are just two examples that take the train away from homes at both the north and south portals, are a minute and a half faster than current travel time (today), and allow the increased capacity that SANDAG is planning for. Siting the north portal away from homes, along with a south portal near the I-5 (officially "South Portal within Knoll Near I-5") would also add to the health and natural state of both the San Dieguito and Los Penasquitos Lagoons.
The Safer Alternatives
SANDAG's I-5 Alignment -- AUG 2023 (previously studied)
SANDAG's I-5 Alignment -- AUG 2023 (previously studied)
SANDAG's I-5 Alignment -- AUG 2023 (previously studied)
1) SANDAG’s 2023 I-5 Alignment: Starts at south end of the soon-to-be-built San Dieguito River Bridge and travels east along the southern edge of the lagoon and through Crest Canyon open space in a series of bridges and tunnels, to the I-5. Higher speed and higher capacity than the current alignment (today).
Lagoon Tunnel I-5 Alignment
SANDAG's I-5 Alignment -- AUG 2023 (previously studied)
SANDAG's I-5 Alignment -- AUG 2023 (previously studied)
2) Lagoon Tunnel I-5 Alignment: Starts with undergrounding the track at Dahlia Drive in Solana Beach; Track is in underground tunnel along the western and southern perimeters of the fairgrounds, then under the lagoon as it travels east to the I-5. Higher speed and higher capacity than the current alignment (today).
Current Options Included in SANDAG's NOP
SANDAG's Descriptions of the Alignments
As our goal is to provide factual information, the descriptions below are taken verbatim from the Notice of Preparation (NOP) of a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the San Diego-Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Realignment (SDLRR) Project (Project) located in the cities of Solana Beach, Del Mar, and San Diego, California. Published by SANDAG, June 4, 2024.
Alternative A I-5 Alignment:
As depicted on Figure 4, Alternative A is approximately 6.8 miles in length and would descend immediately south of the Solana Beach Station, enter the Fairgrounds North Portal, then continue south into the fairgrounds, where there would be a new underground special events platform. The alignment would continue under the San Dieguito Lagoon and turn to follow under the I-5 freeway, then continue south and exit at the Knoll Near I-5 South Portal. The alignment would then rise above ground as it transitions back into the existing railroad alignment north of the Sorrento Valley Station.
Alternative B Crest Canyon Alignment
As depicted on Figure 5, Alternative B is approximately 5.3 miles in length and would descend immediately south of the rail bridge that spans over the San Dieguito Lagoon and enter the Under Jimmy Durante Boulevard North Portal, then continue south and exit at the Knoll Near I-5 South Portal. The tracks would then rise as it transitions back into the existing railroad alignment north of the Sorrento Valley Station.
Alternative C Camino del Mar Alignment
As depicted on Figure 6, Alternative C is approximately 4.9 miles in length and would descend immediately south of the rail bridge that spans over the San Dieguito Lagoon and enter the Under Jimmy Durante Boulevard North Portal. This alternative would continue south and exit at the Torrey Pines Road South Portal, bridge over the Los Peñasquitos Lagoon, and then transition back to the existing railroad alignment. The existing railroad alignment within Los Peñasquitos Lagoon would be double tracked, which would require raising and widening the existing berm in the lagoon to address flooding and sea level rise projections.
An I-5 Alignment Meets the Objectives and is the Safest
Why Route Hazardous Materials into Residential Neighborhoods?
The Crest Canyon High Speed (B) and CDM (C) routes require the train to transport hazardous materials directly into neighborhoods. According to the Association of American Railroads: railroads are required to move hazmat, including fertilizer, ethanol, crude oil, refined petroleum, chlorine, sulphuric acid, radioactive material and nuclear waste. The military uses the train to transport nuclear, chemical, and conventional munitions. An I-5 alignment routes hazardous materials and toxic chemicals away from established neighborhoods.
Safety Concerns are Real
Since 2015, the U.S. rail system has been responsible for 106 derailments in which hazardous materials were released, according to Federal Railway Administration data analyzed by The Hill.
In 2022 alone, the agency tracked ten derailments containing hazardous materials, which ranged from a pair of propane-carrying cars overturned in Maine to a 44-car derailment in Iowa that sent 65,000 gallons of asphalt into an Iowa creek, and spills of 19,300 gallons of hydrochloric acid from a derailment in Oklahoma, and 20,000 gallons of nervous system-distorting methyl methacrylate. In 2013, 47 people were killed when a freight train derailed in the town of Lac-Mégantic, Canada; 66 of 69 dwellings & buildings were destroyed within the .6-mile blast radius.
Unnecessary Eminent Domain
The Crest Canyon (B) and CDM (C) routes would require a significant number of homes be taken & demolished. Homes remaining over the tunnel will no longer be livable, due to "severe" noise and vibration. Ongoing litigation would severely impact construction schedules and costs. The excavation would disrupt traffic and damage road surfaces for years. Routing the train to I-5 reduces the right-of-way costs associated with eminent domain of private properties.
An I-5 Alignment has been in Development for over 20 Years
In 2003, the FRA and Caltrans together proposed an I-5 Alignment to advance to EIR/EIS. They selected an I-5 Alignment because it met their objectives with the least impact to surrounding communities. However, when SANDAG adopted The Big Move, which imposed a 110-mph goal on any rail improvements through San Diego, the I-5 Alignment fell out of favor with SANDAG; it could not meet their 110 mph goal. Instead, SANDAG proposed a straight line trajectory into a densely-populated hillside, in order to meet their high speed goal.
A Transportation Corridor is the Best Route for the Train
Routing the train to I-5 is the quickest and safest solution. It is imperative that SANDAG include a full analysis of an I-5 Alignment in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) work they are about to embark on.
If a Portal is Built in Del Mar Village, All of San Diego Loses
The Crest Canyon (B) and CDM (C) routes will impact every aspect of the village. Del Mar is host to popular attractions that people come from all over the county to experience. Beautiful public beaches and a charming village that invites visitors to enjoy seaside dining, shopping and seasonal activities. Businesses, restaurants and hotels will all be impacted. Many will not survive the years of construction. Sales tax and TOT revenue will be lost. Routing the train to I-5 will keep the Village of Del Mar open to enjoy by all neighboring communities.