SANDAG Needs to Support Your Community's Values
Seeking a Solution that is Beneficial for Everyone -- and the Environment
San Diego’s north coastal cities share a common appreciation for the qualities that make our region unique and so desirable. It's our goal that we work together to maintain the characteristics that we all value so much. Regional stakeholders view this project in a larger context, as a member of this larger community.
When looking at the alignments that SANDAG presented in 2023, community stakeholders were disappointed to see their Evaluation Criteria did not align with the values of our coastal communities. SANDAG placed a priority on Travel Time (#2), and rated Environmental Protections (#5) and Community Impacts (#11) at the bottom of the criteria. They cited "Safety Improvements" as their primary goal, but proposed routing a freight train into residential neighborhoods. We are advocating for a train realignment that is beneficial to all community stakeholders.
SANDAG has stated the number of trains will double to just over 100 per day.
- The Number of Passenger Trains will go from 44 to 90
- The Number of Freight Trains will go from 6 to 11
- The Length of the Freight Trains will be much longer
- That is 2X Noise, 2X Vibration & 2X Pollution
An I-5 Alignment enables SANDAG to support the values of the communities they serve.
The Rail Realignment Impacts All of San Diego
Safety, Environmental Impact, and Community Impact Should be SANDAG's Priority
This is one of several projects that support SANDAG's Big Move initiative, with the goal of increasing rail ridership by offering faster and more frequent Coaster service between Oceanside and Santa Fe Depot. SANDAG has plans to double track the entire LOSSAN corridor, impacting communities throughout San Diego County for decades to come. Now is the time to set the ground rules for their planned re-development.
The realignment of the tracks between Solana Beach and Sorrento Valley will create the foundational "rules" for all of these future projects. It's important that these "rules" are established with the foresight that they will be applied throughout every community that the train traverses. The overall scope of these improvements will impact thousands of San Diego residents, business owners and other stakeholders. This is SANDAG's opportunity to serve the communities it represents; according to the agency's mission: "SANDAG is committed to creating a San Diego region where every person who lives, works, and visits can thrive." Providing effective public transportation is part of that equation, but at what price? Taking private property from residents, forcing people from their homes, destroying businesses and damaging the natural environment? All of these must be part of the equation when determining the "ground rules" for the continued rail improvements through our region. Which brings us back to the Rail Realignment between Solana Beach and Sorrento Valley, soon to be presented for consideration. People throughout San Diego are relying on the SANDAG project team and board members to represent their interests and protect our environment.
Learn More
The 60-mile San Diego segment of the LOSSAN corridor passes over six coastal lagoons and through the cities of Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar, and San Diego before coming to its final destination at the Santa Fe Depot. Currently, about 50 trains operate each weekday on the segment south of Oceanside. SANDAG says this number will double.
SANDAG's Notice of Preparation of Draft EIR
Safest Route for the Environment - and the Community
SANDAG released their NOP on June 4, 2024, providing an opportunity for stakeholders to comment on their proposed three Realignment options, referred to as A, B and C. While none of the options are beneficial to everyone, there are features from each that can be used to develop a reasonable solution for most stakeholders.
Key Takeaways from the NOP
- SANDAG eliminated the single-bore option, so the the tunnel will be twin-bore
- The twin-bore tunnel footprint will be a minimum 114 feet wide, with each tunnel 38 feet in diameter, and 38 feet between them
- The NOP states that the tunnel can be located at a depth of "a minimum of one-diameter of ground cover above the top of the tunnel." That places the freight train just 38 feet below any homes or structures in its path
- If the North Portal is located at Jimmy Durante Blvd., many homes will be taken by eminent domain, and those remaining will not be liveable, due to noise and vibration
- There is a general debate between what route is safest for our communities, versus the speed that SANDAG would like to achieve through the north San Diego coastal region
SANDAG is Preparing to Start a Major Project in Solana Beach
SANDAG to Replace the Tracks Between the SB Train Station and Via de la Valle
As Phase 1 of the San Dieguito Double Track and Fairgrounds Platform project, SANDAG will be replacing the tracks between Lomas Santa Fe Drive and the “Valley” Control Point, just south of Dahlia Drive. They will also be double tracking the segment between Dahlia Drive and Via de la Valle, requiring a wider trench to accommodate the double tracks.
SANDAG performed Community Outreach for this project more than 10 years ago, and are now preparing to move forward. Even though it has been more than a decade since they did Public Outreach, SANDAG has not informed residents that they plan to commence Phase 1 in the next year.
DETAILS from SANDAG
https://keepsandiegomoving.com/Lossan-Group/lossan_san_dieguito_double_track.aspx
Map from SANDAG: Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI); posted 1-13-2016.
SANDAG Project Scope includes the Coastal Rail Trail
How will the Double Tracking Affect the Communty of Solana Beach?
SANDAG has provided little information about the scope of the Double Tracking project through Solana Beach. They did provide this map, which clearly shows the project boundaries encompass the Solana Beach Coastal Rail Trail. We have not seen any details on what they plan to do to the Rail Trail, as they excavate a wider trench to accommodate the double tracking.
Communities Deserve to be Informed
It is SANDAG's responsibility to make sure communities that are impacted by their projects are informed. SANDAG has not provided any details about this impending construction project and the extent of the community impacts to Solana Beach.
The Goal is Safer Routes and Safer Trains
Advocating for More Local Control of Freight Routing
The LOSSAN rail corridor serves as a vital link for passenger and freight movements in the San Diego region. SANDAG estimates that the number and frequency of trains will increase dramatically. Local communities must anticipate how this increase in “train traffic” will affect us.
Local communities must have more control over the dangerous freight that is routed into and through our neighborhoods. BNSF is legally required to transport hazardous materials under the DOT's federal common carrier obligation. We must work together with neighboring communities, local government and regulatory agencies to ensure the safest routes for freight trains.
