Del Mar residents pack SANDAG workshop on train track realignment

Residents question the multi-billion dollar plan with concerns over costs, options and transparency

SANDAG held a public workshop on Aug. 30 at the Del Mar Civic Center to engage residents about realigning the railroad tracks along the bluff. Residents packed the Civic Center to speak with staffers. Steve Puterski photo

DEL MAR — It is the hottest issue in the city, and everyone has an opinion.

Hundreds of residents came to SANDAG’s public workshop on Aug. 30 at the Del Mar Civic Center to listen and speak with SANDAG representatives over the proposal of realigning the train tracks off the bluffs. Residents know the tracks must be moved, but the controversy stems from where they should land.

SANDAG has presented five options, although two alignments are leading the way, and nearly all the options include a tunnel. One option is moving 1,000 feet inland under Camino Del Mar and another about 2,000 feet from the bluffs to Crest Canyon. Residents are skeptical of a tunnel due to possible imminent domain and construction.

The tracks are part of the LOSSAN (Los Angeles-San Luis Obispo-San Diego) Corridor and the second busiest railway in the country.

In April, SANDAG and the North County Transit District were awarded a $100 million grant by the state to facilitate the tunnel project. Additionally, SANDAG was awarded $300 million by the state last year to start the process.