How You can Get Involved

SANDAG needs to study a new rail route that meets the needs of Del Mar, Solana Beach and the Fairgrounds and does not take homes from residents or destroy businesses or cause further damage to beaches, coastal bluffs and canyons.

SANDAG released the NOP on May 15th and it shows four routes to be studied in the EIR. All four of these routes are extremely unsatisfactory for numerous reasons including the destruction of homes, businesses, beaches, coastal bluffs and canyons in Del Mar and adjacent neighborhoods. However, SANDAG has added one possible fifth alternative with an asterisk on their drawing – “A more northerly design concept of the San Dieguito to I-5 alternative alignment will be explored during the environmental process.”

The SANDAG alignment shown in the NOP that is labelled “San Dieguito Bridge to I-5 Alternative Alignment” as well as the other three SANDAG alignments do not satisfy key project objectives to “Avoid and/or minimize negative effects …(on)… publicly owned parks, recreational trails, beaches, wetlands, ecological reserves, wildlife or waterfowl refuges….” and to “Minimize impacts in the surrounding communities to existing homes (and) businesses…” 

SANDAG’s “yellow line” would have adverse impacts on 60 plus homes and businesses along San Dieguito Drive and Racetrack View Drive and damage the San Dieguito Lagoon. The Crest Canyon and Camino Del Mar routes would require extensive eminent domain taking of homes, destroy the livability of homes not taken, destroy businesses and place air-polluting portals near the coast, homes and Fairgrounds. The Bluffs Double Track would destroy Del Mar beaches by adding to the armoring of the bluffs.

However, SANDAG Staff’s recommendation to develop and study a route that turns as it heads east to the I-5 opens the door for consideration and analysis of a less expensive and less destructive northern route. The Northern Yellow Line has many advantages that the SANDAG “yellow line” and the other study routes lack. It also could cost a billion dollars less than the other study routes because less eminent domain and fewer easements would have to be obtained and there would be less boring and tunneling. 

The proposed Northern Yellow Line route offers the following advantages. It:

1) Has no negative impact on ANY homes or businesses

2) Preserves the San Dieguito Lagoon and allows restoration of the Penasquitos Lagoon

3) Has no negative impact on the City of Solana Beach

4) Places no portals near homes, near the coast or near the Fairgrounds; no tunnels under or near homes

5) Runs entirely along the edge of state-owned property and minimally impacts the Fairgrounds for which compensation can be paid without displacing families.

6) Eliminates expensive tunnels under private property and below sea level

7) Includes the Fairgrounds special events platform as planned

8) Allows Riverpath Del Mar to be completed as planned, which will finally link the Coast to Crest Trail and the Crest Canyon trail with a serene and safe trail along the edge of the lagoon