Bluff Erosion Urgency
- Omar Atayee, SANDAG Acting Director of Engineering and Construction
The LOSSAN Corridor, the only rail connection we have to the rest of the U.S., is threatened.
San Diego’s coastal bluffs are receding up to six inches annually, leaving the train tracks only feet away from the edge in places at risk of more from stormwater.
This rail line transports commuters, moves goods across Southern California and beyond and is fundamental for our national defense including military bases and seaports. Without LOSSAN, passengers, goods, and military cargo would add even more congestion to our already clogged roads.
For more than 20 years we have worked to stabilize the fragile bluffs.Despite emergency repairs and multiple pre-planned efforts costing millions, the sea level is rising and our climate is changing. With mandates from state and federal governing bodies to relocate the tracks, finding a permanent solution has never been more urgent.
Therefore SANDAG proposes to move the existing train tracks inland. The LOSSAN Rail Realignment project would permanently solve the environmental threats to the rail line and improve service for passengers who depend on it. Based on research, we know that a tunnel running beneath the hills of Del Mar and San Diego is the best option for the new route.
In June, we will start the next phase of the project to relocate the tracks. SANDAG will release a Notice of Preparation (NOP). This alerts the public and other stakeholders that we plan to prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and analyze the environmental impacts of multiple alternative routes.
We ask for public comment from the community. This 45-day public comment period is June 4, through Friday, July 19. To submit comments email LOSSANcorridor@sandag.org ,call 858.549.RAIL (7245) or come in person Tuesday, June 18, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the San Diego Marriott Del Mar, 11966 El Camino Real in San Diego.
The SANDAG Board of Directors has yet to select a new rail route. The Board anticipates selecting a new route by 2026 when it approves the Final EIR. Construction of the project is anticipated to be completed in 2035.