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

Of the alignments that SANDAG had proposed, their 2023 I-5 Alignment was the safest route for the train. Additionally, a Lagoon Tunnel I-5 Alignment was identified that also routes the freight train away from homes. These alignments enable SANDAG to place the train in a location that supports 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.

Freight trains through your neighborhood

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 84 feet wide, with each tunnel 28 feet in diameter, and 28 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 28 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's 2023 I-5 Alignment Needs to be Considered

SANDAG's 2023 I-5 Alignment would start at the New Bridge, then head East -- Away from Homes

The Special Events Platform and New Bridge, Phase 2 of the project, will benefit the region in many ways. Helping to alleviate traffic during events at the fairgrounds is a key benefit.

The Special Events Platform & Bridge are scheduled to commence construction in December 2027, with completion in 2030
SANDAG’s 2023 Conceptual I-5 Alignment places the North Portal at the end of this new bridge, away from Residential Neighborhoods
Siting the North Portal East of the New Bridge routes the freight train away from homes and provides a shorter travel time than the current route. SANDAG recently eliminated this option because it does not meet their 110 mph goal.
This I-5 Alignment routes the freight train east to I-5 and away from homes. SANDAG needs to select the option that supports our communities' values -- for this region and every neighborhood the train traverses between Oceanside and Santa Fe Depot.

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.

First, Determine the Safest Route for the Train

Replacement of the Tracks through Solana Beach could be Combined with the Inland Rerouting Project

Since SANDAG is already replacing the tracks and widening the trench, the trench can also be made deeper. The train can be lowered deep enough to cover at the south end of Solana Beach, about a half mile from the Via de la Valle undercrossing. This creates a 6+ acre recreational space.

SANDAG’s preferred route is Option B because it enables the train to travel at 110 mph through our region. The number of passenger trains increasing from 44 to 90 and the number of freight trains going from 6 to 11, daily results in double the "train traffic."

It would be beneficial to residents of both Solana Beach and Del Mar -- and the environment -- to get those trains underground sooner.

Solana Beach Trench - NOP Option B & C

Cover the Trench - NOP Option A

An I-5 Alignment Benefits North Coastal Communities

One option for an I-5 Alignment could take the train into a tunnel under the region’s two lagoons, preserving the health and natural state of both the San Dieguito and Los Penasquitos Lagoons

A Lagoon Tunnel to I-5 Alignment -- Benefits to Solana Beach

Potential for a 6+ Acre Park / Recreational Space
All of Solana Beach would benefit, as well as the surrounding communities, with increased Recreational Space, benefits to Health, Wellness & Lifestyle
Access to the Coastline would improve, with the cover over the train trench for the southern one-half mile of Solana Beach. The trench would no longer be a barrier, opening up a wide space for residents from east of the train trench to directly access Highway 101 and the coastline.
The Coastal Rail Trail could be expanded with additional space to create more recreational features.
There is opportunity to add an additional pedestrian overpass as well as an additional elevator at the northern end of the Solana Beach Train Station parking lot.
With the Tracks underground at Dahlia Drive, the Increased Noise & Pollution from the Increased Trains will be Diminished

"Solana Park" -- A Lagoon Tunnel to I-5 Alignment potentially creates a 6+ acre recreational space.

An I-5 Alignment Benefits the Fairgrounds

Safer Route for the Environment - and the Community

A Lagoon Tunnel to I-5 Alignment -- Benefits to The Fairgrounds

Train will be underground, with no impact to Fairgrounds operations
Special Events Event Platform can be located anywhere along the Tunnel Route, for flexibility
Trestle Bridge can be eliminated, creating wide open views from Fairgrounds to the ocean, instead of a concrete bridge that is 9 feet higher and double the width
Eliminating the Bridge Improves water flow in the lagoon, creating a healthier ecosystem and more scenic surrounding
A tunnel would eliminate the need for SANDAG to construct Floodgates and Flood Walls to protect the proposed bridge from sea level rise and flooding
With the train underground, Fairgrounds attendees will not be subjected to increased noise and air pollution from the increased train traffic
As the tunnel will take a wide curve under the river, at the southern most section of the Fairgrounds, noise & vibration is minimized

A Lagoo Tunnel to I-5 Alignment preserves the natural environment & lowers safety risks to visitors.

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.