SANDAG chugs ahead on Del Mar rail realignment

The board votes to move forward with four options as Del Mar abstains from discussions and voting; environmental reviews are expected to return in 30 months

The San Diego Association of Governments Board of Directors approved four realignment options on the Del Mar Bluffs for inclusion in the draft environmental review. Steve Puterski photo

COUNTY — A handful of railroad realignment alternatives were approved for further review by the San Diego Association of Governments Board of Directors on Feb. 28.

Four of the options include a line under the Del Mar Fairgrounds and San Dieguito Lagoon running along Interstate 5, one under Crest Canyon, another under Camino Del Mar and reinforcing the current line along the Del Mar Bluffs. SANDAG staff said other alternatives can be included later. Also, SANDAG will release an updated Notice of Preparation in the coming months.

The board voted, 13-3, to approve the options with Coronado, Encinitas and Escondido voting no, while Del Mar, El Cajon and Poway were not present.

Regardless of the board’s decision, any realignment will not remove the current tracks off the bluffs, according to Shawn Donaghy, chief executive office of the North County Transit District. He said federal regulations require the line to remain “active” and if a realignment occurs, it will act as a second line for military, freight and passenger operations.

The issue has drawn the attention of federal lawmakers over the past several years with Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) riding the Coaster last week with state Sen. Catherine Blakespear and other elected officials. Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also toured the Del Mar Bluffs.

From left are SANDAG CEO Mario Orso, SANDAG Mega Projects Director Maria Rodriguez Molina, state Sen. Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) and U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) recently toured the Del Mar Bluffs. Courtesy photo

Del Mar Mayor Terry Gaasterland, meanwhile, abstained from the meeting after reading a letter approved by the Del Mar City Council directed to the board. Gaasterland appeared to choke up and fight through her emotions while reading and stressing to the board the level of seriousness their actions would have on the future of Del Mar.

“For the city to select or influence any particular route before the draft environmental impact report is released could unduly prejudice our role as a responsible agency,” Gaasterland told the board. “It is the city’s intent to keep all of its options open to preserve any challenges we wish to make in protecting the city’s interests. Please take this extremely seriously. This is very important to Del Mar.”

The long-running issue has been a hot-button topic in Del Mar for years, especially when it comes to tunneling under the city. Hundreds of residents, if not more, have protested routes under Camino Del Mar, the city’s main thoroughfare, and Crest Canyon, which may trigger eminent domain.