SANDAG hosts tunneling workshop in Del Mar

Residents pack City Hall to listen and speak about the controversial plan to tunnel under the city to realign the railroad tracks

DEL MAR — The natives were restless and relentless during a tunneling workshop hosted by the San Diego Association of Governments on Wednesday at a packed house at City Hall.

Residents mingled with staff before listening to a 30-minute presentation about the tunneling options for the railroad tracks. Realigning the tracks is a huge priority for SANDAG and other agencies, although some residents were swift and brutal in their pushback during public comment.

Several bluff collapses in Del Mar over the past 10 years has led to a furious push to relocate the tracks off the bluffs. SANDAG received a $300 million grant last year to start the process, which is in the midst of environmental analysis, according to SANDAG Deputy CEO Coleen Clementson. SANDAG and the North County Transit District were also awarded a $100 million grant by the state to facilitate the tunnel project.

However, many residents believe a decision has been made of which tunneling option SANDAG will pursue. Clementson said the agency is reviewing at least five options and will select a top candidate in the spring, although with other alternatives, to bring to the Board of Directors for approval.

SANDAG also held a workshop on Aug. 30 in Del Mar and plans several other public meetings before an option is selected.

“Roughly two years from now, we want the environmental and design (reviews) done,” Clementson said. “In the next few months, we want to actually select the project. There is work to be done on what that exact project is.”