DEL MAR, Calif. — The San Diego Association of Governments, which last year expanded the number of potential routes for a tunnel to replace the rail line along the Del Mar bluffs, has again narrowed the possibilities, this time to three choices, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
At one time, the planning agency had cut the number of potential routes to two, but objections from residents of the upscale community (average home value, $3.73 million, according to Zillow) led SANDAG to backtrack and consider 11 potential routes as of late last year [see “Routes for Del Mar rail tunnel multiply,” Trains News Wire, Nov. 29, 2023].
Now, according to a notice preceding an environmental impact report for the proposed 1.7-mile tunnel, the number of prospective routes has again been refined. That notice begins a 45-day period for people to submit written comments on the route proposals; those comments will be included in the draft environmental report. The comment period ends July 19; details on how to comment are included in the notice. A public meeting is also set for June 18 at 6 p.m,. at the San Diego Marriott Del Mar.
Del Mar Mayor Dave Druker told the Union-Tribune in an email that the city would respond to the notice at its July 8 meeting, and will likely ask that the comment period be extended to 60 days.
Preliminary estimates have placed the cost of the tunnel at $4 billion, although it is likely to be significantly higher. No funding has yet been allotted for construction.
The tunnel is considered a eventual necessity because of ongoing erosion of the bluffs along the Pacific Ocean that threaten the blufftop route used by Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliners, Coaster commuter trains, and BNSF freight traffic. SANDAG is currently involved in a fifth phase of construction to slow that erosion and protect the rail line.
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