Written Communications – PC
Curry – Received 2/26/2025
From: alan mil
Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2025 10:21 AM
Subject: SANDAG DEL MAR BLUFF COLLAPSE TRAIN TRACK MOVE / LESSONS LEARNED
WILDFIRES
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BCC TO COMMUNITY FED UP TAX LIES
@SANDAG CLERK - Please place entire email with links and pictures into Public Record Comment the next scheduled Sandag Board Directors Meeting FRIDAY NON AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT. https://www.sandag.org/calendar
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https://www.chulavistaca.gov/departments/mayor-council/council-meeting-agenda
@COUNTY SUPERVISOR CLERK - Please place entire email with links and pictures into Public Record Comment for next scheduled Supervisor Meeting TUESDAY NON AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT.
https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/cob/bosa/index.html
SANDAG MEETING 9AM FRIDAY FEB 28
ZOOM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84297597154
DEL MAR BLUFF COLLAPSE TRAIN TRACK RELOCATE
"The train route is San Diego’s only rail link to Los Angeles and the rest of the United States, but landslides and bluff erosion are making the trek more dangerous. SANDAG is expected to hear public comment on the proposed alignments Feb. 28. SANDAG has been considering several routes for the LOSSAN Rail Realignment Project in Del Mar. " Written Communications – PC
Curry – Received 2/26/2025
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/new-routes-for-rail-realignment-project-in-del- mar-proposed-by-sandag/3749828/
SEE PAGE 120 OF REPORT
OPTION 10 AWAY FROM HOMES
ENTIRE TRACK MOVE PARALLEL I-5
LOSSAN Rail Realignment Project Final Value Analysis Study Report Years of studies, decades of failed attempts repair bluffs and yet more useless pilings result increase erosion of bluffs yet the train track still has not been moved away from the ocean! https://www.sandag.org/-/media/SANDAG/Documents/PDF/projects-and- programs/featured-projects/lossan-rail-improvements-del-mar-bluffs/lossan- realignment/sandag-lossan-rail-realignment-final-value-analysis-study-report-2025-02-07.pdf
WHY SANDAG AGENDA 6
NO DISCUSSION RUBBER STAMP CONSENT?
DECADES TRANSNET TAX NO FREEWAY EXPANSION!
MORE TRANSNET TAX ON HOMES ALREADY HIGH COST!
"The TransNet Extension Ordinance requires the 18 cities in the San Diego region and the County of San Diego to collect a Regional Transportation Congestion Improvement Program (RTCIP) fee from the private sector for each new housing unit. TransNet Regional Transportation Congestion Improvement Program Proposed Fee Adjustment. The Board of Directors is asked to approve a 6% adjustment to the Regional Transportation Congestion Improvement Program, raising the fee from $2,875.06 to $3,047.57 beginning July 1, 2025."
PROGRAM - https://legistarweb-
production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/attachment/pdf/3161985/Item_6_- _TNRT_Congestion_Improvement_Program.pdf
MEMO - https://legistarweb-
production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/attachment/pdf/3161986/Item_6__Att._1_- _Discussion_Memo.pdf
Written Communications – PC
Curry – Received 2/26/2025
SANDAG MEETING FRIDAY 9AM
YOU CAN PARTICIPATE ZOOM FROM YOUR HOME
ZOOM - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84297597154
OR GO IN PERSON FREE VALIDATED PARKING
401 B STREET FLOOR 7 DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO
https://www.sandag.org/calendar
HTML AGENDA -
https://docs.google.com/gview?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgranicus_production_attachments.s3.a mazonaws.com%2Fsandag%2F3f2d097131a67de3ec6cd3045a4da8ac0.pdf&embedded=true PDF AGENDA - https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/sandag/fe0fea28-b3fd-11ef-ab4b- 005056a89546-3a383fb0-7365-4b67-b96e-089bf81cce16-1740521332.pdf
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FED FUNDING
HIGH SPEED RAIL FED FUNDS BEING PULLED
SAFETY = USE FUNDS MOVE TRACK AWAY FROM OCEAN
U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy Announces Review of California High-Speed Rail Project "The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) initiated a review of the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA). This review will help determine whether roughly $4 billion in taxpayer money should remain committed to the proposed project to build high-speed rail in the California Central Valley between Merced and Bakersfield. The entire San Francisco to Los Angeles project was initially supposed to be completed by 2020 and cost $33 billion. Today, the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment alone would cost more than the original total. The latest estimate for San Francisco to Los Angeles is $106 billion — more than three times the original cost estimate.
The entire San Francisco to Los Angeles project was initially supposed to be completed by 2020 and cost $33 billion. Today, the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment alone would cost more than the original total. The latest estimate for the train rail San Francisco to Los Angeles is $106 billion — more than three times the original cost estimate. "
https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/us-transportation-secretary-duffy-announces- review-california-high-speed-rail-project
Written Communications – PC
Curry – Received 2/26/2025
DEL MAR TRAIN TRACK BLUFF COLLAPSE
SANDAG DECADES TAX WASTE FAILURES
06-18-2024 SANDAG PRESENTATION VIDEO
BLUFF COLLAPSE CRITICAL TRAIN TRACK RELOCATE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpXifX3FAX0&t=276s
2021 USELESS TAX WASTE CONSULTANT STUDY
https://www.delmartimes.net/news/story/2021-04-27/study-shows-best-route-for-train- tunnel
DECADES AGO 1941 TRAIN TRACK BLUFF ACCIDENT
2018 DEL MAR TRAIN TRACK BLUFF COLLAPSE AGAIN
"It’s just a matter of time before what happened in the 1940s happens again when a train went right into the ocean, ” Stonebanks said. “You won’t be reading about a 50-foot section of bluff going into the ocean. You’ll be reading about the Pacific Surfliner going in and 50 people killed." https://fox5sandiego.com/news/residents-concerned-after-cliff-collapses-along-del-mar- train-tracks/
The 1941 train track collapse will happen again. You won't be reading about a 50 foot section of bluff going into the ocean. You'll be reading on the Pacific Surfliner going in and 50 people killed due to bluff collapse.
https://thecoastnews.com/the-great-train-wreck-of-1941/
Written Communications – PC
Curry – Received 2/26/2025
06-24-2022 ENGINEER REPORT FAILURE (1:57:00)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoYpVkD_IFE&t=5761s
I DESTROYED ENGINEER REPORT
CALLED OUT SANDAG TAX WASTE
DEMANDED TRACK MOVED OFF BLUFF
A WEEK LATER SOMEBODY CALLED GOV NEWSOM
07-03-2022 $300 MILLION STATE GRANT
TO IMPLEMENT MOVE UNSAFE DEL MAR TRACK
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/california/articles/2022-07-03/300m-for-plan-to- move-tracks-off-crumbling-del-mar-bluffs
YEAR LATER WHERE DID THE STATE FUND MONEY GO?
https://apnews.com/article/california-san-diego-gavin-newsom-state-budgets- 693f86215ac44e57e55da568f7d8e1f5
12-27-2022 $300 MILLION FOR TRACK MOVE STOLEN FOR OTHER USE "The transit district recently sent a letter to the San Diego Association of Governments asking for some of the grant money to be used to finish the long-planned San Dieguito to Sorrento Valley double-track project just north of the bluffs. 'The rail realignment off the Del Mar bluffs can only be successful if this time-sensitive project is completed first, ' states the Dec. 16 letter from the NCTD board to SANDAG."
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2022/12/27/nctd-and-del-mar-split-over-rail- realignment-money/
06-28-2024 SANDAG MEETING NEWS INFORMED
https://docs.google.com/gview?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgranicus_production_attachments.s3.amaz onaws.com%2Fsandag%2Fee203249db6ab73ba815a655c155c11b0.pdf&embedded=true 06-28-2024 SANDAG MEETING (AGENDA 15) PDF
https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/sandag/5dd97666-84b1-11ee-852f-0050569183fa-
Written Communications – PC
Curry – Received 2/26/2025
3a383fb0-7365-4b67-b96e-089bf81cce16-1719529562.pdf
SANDAG LOSSAN RAIL FACT SHEET PDF
https://www.sandag.org/-/media/SANDAG/Documents/PDF/projects-and- programs/featured-projects/lossan-rail-improvements-del-mar-bluffs/lossan- realignment/lossan-rail-realignment-fact-sheet-2024-05-16.pdf
LOSSAN RAIL STUDY JUNE 2024 POWERPOINT
https://legistarweb-
production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/attachment/pdf/2706490/Item_15_- _Supporting_Materials.pdf
2024 LOSSAN RAIL ALIGNMENT SANDAG YOUTUBE (1:07:20)
AFTER PRESENTATION MY CALLOUT MOVE TRAIN TRACKS TO I5
NOT JUST DEL MAR BLUFF , INCLUDE NORTH OF SOLANA BEACH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiPeQeUG3PU&t=4040
SANDAG YOUTUBE (2:14:20)
Thank you Mayor Kranz "Big mistake locking into a rail corridor that was built in the 1880s. San Clemente has exact same problem; move track To I-5 From Oceanside to San Diego. Avoid pedestrian strikes saves lives when track placed I-5 corridor. " https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiPeQeUG3PU&t=8060
Thank You Council Gaasterland "Imagine no more train track across Lagoon RESTORES REFUGE TO ITS 1800S PRISTINE BEAUTY"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiPeQeUG3PU&t=10256
HEARTLESS Council La Mesa Jack Shu Ignores Decades Established Neighborhood Communities Lifetime Of Memories "Emminent Domain You Get Fair Compensation When Government Takes Away Your Home"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiPeQeUG3PU&t=9757
SCREENING REPORT MAY 2024
INTERSTATE 5 SENSIBLE ROUTE
PAGE 10 SCREENING REPORT PDF
https://legistarweb-
production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/attachment/pdf/2706423/Item_15__Att._2_- _Screening_Report.pdf
ALIGNMENT P1-A & P1-B INTERSTATE 5
FROM OCEANSIDE TO SORRENTO VALLEY
QUICKEST COST EFFECTIVE NO TUNNEL
Written Communications – PC
Curry – Received 2/26/2025
===================
LESSONS LEARNED WILDFIRES
Karen Bass remained silent as Sky News asked the mayor if she regrets cutting the fire service's budget.
https://news.sky.com/video/los-angeles-mayor-silent-when-asked-if-she-owes-citizens- apology-over-handling-of-wildfires-13285826
Los Angeles Mayor Silent As Confronted Over Wildfire Response On Live TV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51wYQ-Up5mg&t=0s
The one reservoir that could have been used to stop the apocalyptic wildfires that destroyed Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and parts of other towns was somehow empty https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2025/01/firestorm_of_incompetence_in_los_angeles
Written Communications – PC
Curry – Received 2/26/2025
_water_company_admits_their_big_reservoir_to_fight_fires_was_bone_dry.html
INSTEAD OF WATER TOWER DRINKING WATER RESERVOIR EMPTY OVER YEAR "Los Angeles in 2012 installed a large floating membrane to comply with federal regulations. The cover is meant to prevent animals and debris from contaminating the water, limit algae and bacteria. DWP property manager spotted a tear in the reservoir’s floating cover after a series of rainstorms, according to internal emails reviewed by The Times. DWP officials wanted to keep the reservoir running, despite the tear, letting residents use 20 million gallons before draining the rest.
The drinking water reservoir due to no cover empty almost a year since January 2024." https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-22/why-has-a-reservoir-in-palisades- stood-empty-for-a-year
State to probe why Pacific Palisades Reservoir
was offline and empty over a year when firestorm exploded "Officials said that the Santa Ynez Reservoir had been closed since about February for repairs to its cover, leaving a 117-million-gallon water storage complex empty in the heart of the Palisades for nearly a year."
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-10/as-flames-raged-in-palisades-a-key- reservoir-nearby-was-offline
LA Mayor Karen Bass handed out rich city contracts,
forcing drastic cuts to fire department months before deadly wildfires: records "Los Angeles was forced to slash funding for the fire department after Mayor Karen Bass awarded gilded contracts to city workers, a review of public records shows. Bass settled contract negotiations with public sector unions. In dozens of agreements, the city’s civilian employees pocketed 20 to 25 percent wage hikes over five years and other goodies that cost the city $4.5 billion."
https://nypost.com/2025/01/11/us-news/la-mayor-karen-bass-handed-out-rich-city- contracts-forcing-drastic-cuts-to-fire-department-months-before-deadly-wildfires-records/
Written Communications – PC
Curry – Received 2/26/2025
WARNED OF FIRE RISK IGNORED SAFETY LOS ANGELES FLEW TO AFRICA CELEBRATION "The National Weather Service began warning of potentially strong winds — amid “extreme fire conditions” — on Thursday, two days before Bass left for Ghana. Those warnings intensified over the subsequent days. By Monday, officials were bracing for a potentially life-threatening and destructive windstorm. As flames tore through Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was on a diplomatic mission in Africa, communicating with key city agencies from afar. Bass left town on Saturday as part of a presidential delegation to Ghana, just as the National Weather Service began ratcheting up its warnings about the coming windstorm. On Tuesday, she attended the inauguration of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama when the Palisades fire broke out." https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-08/mayor-karen-bass-wildfires-africa-trip
MAUI - TALENT OREGON - LOS ANGELES - YOUR CITY NEXT
https://www.youtube.com/live/GLJ4LABBgBY&t=0s
BURN DOWN COMMUNITY REZONE TO GOVERNMENT HOUSING
https://ktvl.com/news/local/talents-controversial-almeda-fire-recovery-plan-up-for-a-vote- next-month-revitalization-oregon-wildfire
Gavin Newsom 'reimagining LA 2.0' post-wildfireand California needs a 'Marshall Plan' :As the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles continue to rage, Gov. Gavin Newsom is looking toward rebuilding an "LA 2.0" post-fire. Speaking against the backdrop of a fire-ravaged neighborhood, Newsom said that he's already "organizing a Marshall Plan" and already has a team "looking and reimagining LA 2.0. "
https://www.businessinsider.com/gavin-newsom-reimagining-los-angeles-post-wildfire- marshall-plan-rebuild-2025-1
WHY MAUI - LOS ANGELES EMPTY FIRE HYDRANTS?
Alan Curry
Written Communications – PC
Curry – Received 2/26/2025
SANDAG 2025 REGIONAL PLAN PAGE 4
TRANSNET ALREADY FUNDED ROADS DOUBLE TAX
CONVERT FREEWAY LANES TO MANAGED TOLL LANES
https://www.sandag.org/-/media/SANDAG/Documents/PDF/regional-plan/2025-regional- plan/2025-draft-proposed-regional-transportation-network-eng.pdf
SAN DIEGO COUNTY VOTERS STOPPED SANDAG TAX
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2024/10/04/endorsement-reject-measure-g-sandag- is-dishonest-dysfunctional/
VOTERS WERE PROMISED TWICE 1988 AND 2004 TRANSNET TAX EXPAND FREEWAYS SANDAG IGNORES FREEWAYS FIRE EGRESS https://www.sandag.org/funding/transnet
Written Communications – PC
Curry – Received 2/26/2025
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <henkinp>
Date: Sun, Feb 9, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Subject: SANDAG REOPENING DEBATE ON LOSSAN ALIGNMENT
gun deaths in this County are apparently suicides, and no rational person would want to hold the dealer responsible for that.
Hi All,
Paul Henkin sends his greetings.
That SANDAG winnowed the 16 proposals for the LA to San Diego LOSSAN train reported by NBC on the 2/7 down to 5 by 2/15, all of which go through the Del Mar fairgrounds, its unstable soil, and would require destruction of homes for a tunnel is not acceptable. Let me ask – have you done a soil analysis? Last Board meeting, there were 16 route options. The Board should have reduced the number of options in open session, per the Brown Act. SANDAG does too much out of public view. That is the number 1 reason for the trust problem. Keep shutting down the LOSSAN tracks for supposedly routine maintenance. We know that not all of this is, in fact, routine.
Move the LOSSSAN Train to the I-15 corridor OR through DeLuz. Through DeLuz would surely be cheaper. A train anywhere near the coast is not safe or practical for the long term. Think 100 years.
If you build here now (I mean, of course, in 2030 or 35,) you’ll have to redo the track periodically.
Unstable coastal soil or sand, and at San Clemente, you got a narrow path and either beach erosion or landslides. The price tag you quote for a train from Temecula through Escondido and San Marcos is to Perris, way outside your jurisdiction, and way inflated. It could connect to downtown, National City, and Chula Vista a lot easier as well as to the rapid trains to Vegas, LA, and SF .
Tony Kranz’ idea to route the train tracks up the I-15 corridor makes sense. If you can do it through De Luz, that would be better. Not only would it save a lot of time, effort, lives maybe, and dollars – but it would be a far easier connection to the fast trains to Vegas and SF to LA.
Written Communications – PC
Curry – Received 2/26/2025
And they’d be ready a lot sooner than 2035.
The parking lot inside the Del Mar Fair is so cracked that it suggests major soil instability which means a tunnel or track there or anywhere near the ocean probably won’t work. There are too many erosion spots and choke points to route the LOSSAN tracks all the way up the I-5 corridor - erosion from the ocean and landslides from the steep cliffs, although that would also be a better option.
Please think about the long-term.
New routes for rail realignment project in Del Mar proposed by SANDAG Story by Jeanette Quezada, NBC San Diego [02-09-2025]
Back from 3 alternatives to 16 – makes a mockery of our attending the community forums in East City and Del Mar, but hopefully a lot fairer and adequate notice to all involved. All 16 routings to be discussed are listed after the article.
ARTICLE:
SANDAG has been considering several routes for the LOSSAN Rail Realignment Project in Del Mar.
[3 without adequate community input, so it’s back up to 16]
This week they added 13 new routes to their alignment proposals. This was in response to input from the community to improve the original three alignments.
“I’ve taken it from Solana Beach down to a Padres game or whatever, and I’ve gone north to anywhere from Orange County to as far as Santa Barbara, ” said Tom Sullivan, who has ridden along the LOSSAN corridor before and has personally seen coastal erosion along the Del Mar Bluffs.
Sullivan’s also familiar with the proposed realignment project.
“It’s just strange, especially in Southern California, especially San Diego to have major train lines that would run underground, ” Sullivan said.
Written Communications – PC
Curry – Received 2/26/2025
Frank Sherer worried it could impact the Del Mar community he’s lived in for 40 years.
“I just don’t want people’s homes to be impacted, and I think they will be from a tunnel, ” Scherer said.
This week, SANDAG released a value analysis study, on the controversial Del Mar train tunnel. The study adds 13-more alternative alignment proposals to the three already being considered.
Some of the proposals are entirely new, while others refine original ideas.
Del Mar mayor Terry Gaasterland supports Alignments 10 and 14, because those would not run underneath homes.
“We, as Del Mar residents, will be asking and demanding: Look at these alignments that take the train out from under people’s homes, ” Gaasterland said.
The 25 miles of Alignment 10 would cost between $30 billion and $45 billion.
[Adding in how much graft?]
“For the very first time, it’s looking at taking a railroad from Oceanside all the way down to Sorrento Valley right along 1-5, ” Gaasterland said.
Alignment 14 would cost between $7 billion and $9 billion. It would take the train deeper into the Solana Beach trench, underneath the fairgrounds, into a tunnel that runs underneath the lagoon, then out to the I-5.
[UNSTABLE SOIL, DANGEROUS IN EMERGENCIES (the deeper, the harder an evacuation would be,) WHERE WOULD THE ESCAPE ROUTES AND VENTILATION BE?]
“If that happens, no homes would be impacted in the way that they’re impacted in all of the other alignments, ” Gaasterland said.
Written Communications – PC
Curry – Received 2/26/2025
[But Lesa Heebner said they would, and why the huge pricetag difference?]
One Solana Beach resident told NBC 7 that is worried that Alignment 14 would have a detrimental impact on the fairgrounds and waste millions of dollars already spent on investments in the southern part of Solana Beach.
[Yes and Yes.]
No matter what happens, some people said, they just want to make sure homes are not affected.
SANDAG is expected to hear public comment on the proposed alignments Feb. 28.
THE 16 ROUTES FOR DISCUSSION (my comments in yellow. Please feel free to use or edit the ideas or not.)
San Diego LOSSAN Rail Realignment Project Final Value Analysis Study Report
https://www.sandag.org/-/media/SANDAG/Documents/PDF/projects-and-programs/featured- projects/lossan-rail-improvements-del-mar-bluffs/lossan-realignment/sandag-lossan-rail- realignment-final-value-analysis-study-report-2025-02-07.pdf
(estimated costs in billions) IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE A MAP OF THE ENTIRE TRACK, FROM THE SAN DIEGO TERMINUS TO SAN CLEMENTE OR TEMECULA. Any tunnel over a mile in length is going to have extensive ventilation shaft/emergency access requirements which is more likely than not to impact private or business property.
1. Locate North Portal at David Way following under Crest Canyon with 90 mph curves. The intent of this alternative concept is to minimize private subsurface easements by locating the bored tunnel segment of the alignment under the Crest Canyon Open Space Park and Torrey Pines State Natural Written Communications – PC
Curry – Received 2/26/2025
Reserve Extension, to the extent practicable, using a maximum passenger operating speed of 90 mph within the tunnel.
$3.8–$5.0
Apparently uses existing tracks through Carlsbad (erosion disruption) and San Clemente (landslide disruption)
2. Keep the tunnel profile above projected flooding elevations and provide positive drainage. The intent of this alternative concept is to provide a tunnel profile that would remain above projected flood levels and sea level rise and provide positive drainage in the tunnel. This design would not require the need for floodwalls, flood gates, or sump pumps. $3.4–$4.6
Would impact homes, and why have a tunnel at all if it is at bridge level over the lagoon?
Also, Apparently uses existing tracks tthrough Calssbadd (erosion disruption) and San Clemente (landslide disruption)
3. Locate the Southern Portal south of existing pump station at Carmel Mountain Road. The intent of this alternative concept is to minimize permanent effects to existing wetlands by locating the southern portal south of Los Peñasquitos Lagoon.
$4.5–$6.0
Apparently uses existing tracks through Carlsbad (erosion disruption) and San Clemente (landslide disruption) and potential tunnel flooding makes this infeasible, especially in a 5 mile (?) tunnel.
4. Realign intersection at Jimmy Durante Boulevard and Camino Del Mar. The intent of this alternative concept is to reduce property effects and acquisitions and improve local traffic circulation by realigning Jimmy Durante Boulevard to the west over the existing rail alignment with a new roundabout intersection at Camino Del Mar. A preliminary rough order of magnitude cost estimate was not developed for this alternative concept because it could be incorporated into several of the alternative concepts that are under consideration and would not be implemented as a standalone concept.
Not developed.
Written Communications – PC
Curry – Received 2/26/2025
All the bad effects of the other concepts added on plus major property damage/destruction.
5. Locate north portal within Camino Del Mar. The intent of this alternative concept is to minimize permanent effects on private properties by locating the transition from cut-and-cover to bored tunnel to be within public right-of-way of the existing roads. $3.9–$5.2
Does not minimize permanent effects on properties. Would have same requirements for ventilation shafts, emergency access, on private property. Apparently uses existing tracks through Carlsbad (erosion disruption) and San Clemente (landslide disruption)
6. Locate North Portal Under Jimmy Durante Boulevard following under Crest Canyon with 90 mph curves. The intent of this alternative concept is to minimize private subsurface easements by locating the bored tunnel segment of the alignment under Crest Canyon Open Space Park and Torrey Pines Natural Reserve Extension, to the extent practicable, using maximum passenger operations speeds for 90 mph within the tunnel.
$3.7–$4.9
Does not minimize permanent effects on properties (though this alternative seems to impact less.) Would have same requirements for ventilation shafts, emergency access, on private property.
Apparently uses existing tracks through Carlsbad (erosion disruption) and San Clemente (landslide disruption)
7.Optimize the use of bridges and berms of Los Peñasquitos Lagoon. The intent of this alternative concept is to optimize the locations and lengths of bridges and berms along the alignment passing through the lagoon. This alternative concept would include analysis to consider the necessary hydraulic openings to maintain or improve flows within the wetlands and to accommodate projected flooding while minimizing impacts to habitat. A preliminary rough order of magnitude cost estimate was not developed because optimization of bridges and berms would occur during the environmental clearance phase for any alternative that advances.
Not developed
Not sure why this is mentioned here.
Written Communications – PC
Curry – Received 2/26/2025
8.Locate alignment under Camino Del Mar with 90 mph curves. The intent of this alternative concept is to minimize private subsurface easements by locating the bored tunnel segment of the alignment directly under Camino Del Mar, to the extent practicable, using a maximum passenger operating speed of 90 mph.
$3.6–$4.8
Relocates track in tunnel a few blocks east trough residential neighborhood. Does not minimize permanent effects on properties. Would have same requirements for ventilation shafts, emergency access, on private property. Apparently uses existing tracks through Carlsbad (erosion disruption) and San Clemente (landslide disruption)
9.Locate the bored tunnel transition south of Carmel Valley Road. The intent of this alternative concept is to minimize private property effects by locating the cut-and-cover tunnel segment at the south portal to the south of Carmel Valley Road and locating it west toward North Torrey Pines Road.
$3.3–$4.4
Does not minimize permanent effects on properties. Would have same requirements for ventilation shafts, emergency access, on private property. Apparently uses existing tracks through Carlsbad (erosion disruption) and San Clemente (landslide disruption)
10.Relocate LOSSAN corridor along I-5 from Oceanside to Sorrento Valley. The intent of this alternative concept is to explore relocating the rail corridor and operations from the existing alignment to a new location along I-5 between Oceanside and Sorrento Valley. The design for the alternative concept includes the horizontal and vertical geometry needed to support freight and passenger rail. The existing grades and the constrained right-of-way of the I-5 corridor require the double-tracked alignment to be located either in a tunnel or on an aerial structure for the entire length. Further, north of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon in the City of Carlsbad, the rail alignment would need to transition from side to side and across the I-5 median to maintain a minimum 90 mph design speed, although 110 mph is desirable. South of the Lagoon, the alignment would transition to the west side of the freeway and stay along the west to Sorrento Valley where it would connect with the existing rail alignment. $34–$45
SANDAG mentions aerial and tunnel segments – not sure why these would be necessary. Why not run trains up the central divider. Apparently uses existing tracks through San Clemente (landslide disruption)
Written Communications – PC
Curry – Received 2/26/2025
11.Locate the bored tunnel transition at the old Del Mar Train Station. The intent of this alternative concept is to minimize private property effects by using the site of the old Del Mar train station and parking lots for construction staging areas and locating the bored tunnel transition to cut-and-cover at the north end within the railroad right-of-way.
$4.1–$5.4
Too close to the ocean. Tunnel is dangerous. Apparently uses existing tracks through Carlsbad (erosion disruption) and San Clemente (landslide disruption)
12.Stabilize bluffs and widen existing alignment to accommodate a second track. The intent of this alternative concept is to maintain the location of the existing rail alignment and add a second track to the east of the existing tracks within the railroad right-of-way. The second track would pass under the existing Torrey Pines Overhead bridge.
$1.9–$2.5
No room for second track without property destruction. Erosion would continue, requiring constant maintenance/monitoring – forever or at least until the next derailment. Bluffs being sufficiently stabilized is questionable. Apparently uses existing tracks through Carlsbad (erosion disruption) and San Clemente (landslide disruption)
13.Relocate all freight rail along I-15 corridor. The intent of this alternative concept is to maintain passenger rail service near the current alignment and shift freight rail service to the I-15 corridor.
The shift of freight to the I-15 corridor would allow passenger rail alignment modifications to achieve an increase in grade from 2.0 to 3.0 percent.
$118–$158
Why split passenger & freight ops? NO COMMUNITY FEEDBACK ON THIS WAS SOUGHT AS FAR AS I KNOW. Not sure why SANDAG wants to build out to Perris, which is not even in its jurisdiction. And not sure why SANDAG has no semi-developed plan since this idea has been around for some time (oh yes, their fixation on a route near the ocean.)
14.Locate North Portal in Solana Beach Trench to South Portal at I-5 Knoll with bored tunnel under Fairgrounds and I-5 (Proposed Notice of Preparation (NOP) Alternative Alignment A – I-5 Alignment.) VA Alternative Concept 14 is the same as Alternative A from the NOP issued in June 2024. This Written Communications – PC
Curry – Received 2/26/2025
alternative concept is approximately 6.8 miles in length and would descend immediately south of the Solana Beach Station toward the north portal. The north portal would be located north of the fairgrounds within the railroad trench in Solana Beach. The portal’s infrastructure would start south of the existing Solana Beach Station. The alignment would continue south into the fairgrounds, where there would be a new underground special events platform. The alignment would continue under the San Dieguito Lagoon and turn to follow under the I-5 freeway, then continue south and exit at the Knoll Near I-5 South Portal. The southern portal would be located at a knoll south of Carmel Valley Road between I-5 and the segment of Sorrento Valley Road Trail that is closed to public vehicular traffic but open for bicycles, pedestrians, and authorized vehicles. The portal infrastructure would be within the undeveloped knoll and extend into the Los Peñasquitos Lagoon.
The alignment would then rise above ground as it transitions back into the existing railroad alignment north of the Sorrento Valley Station.
$6.9–$9.2
Unstable soil, Dangerous tunnel, etc. And then, tunnel under a lagoon and then under a major freeway is just asking for double trouble. Apparently uses existing tracks through Carlsbad (erosion disruption) and San Clemente (landslide disruption)
15.Locate North Portal Under Jimmy Durante Boulevard to South Portal at I-5 Knoll (Proposed NOP Alternative Alignment B – Crest Canyon Alignment.) VA Alternative Concept 15 is the same as Alternative B from the June 2024 NOP . This alternative concept is approximately 5.3 miles in length and would descend immediately south of the rail bridge that spans over the San Dieguito Lagoon and enter the north portal. The north portal would be located north of the intersection of Camino Del Mar and Jimmy Durante Boulevard. The portal’s infrastructure would cross underneath Jimmy Durante Boulevard, which would be raised. The portal structures could extend into commercial and residential properties. The south portal would be located at a knoll south of Carmel Valley Road between I-5 and the segment of Sorrento Valley Road Trail that is closed to public vehicular traffic but open for bicycles, pedestrians, and authorized vehicles. The portal infrastructure would be within the undeveloped knoll and extend into the Los Peñasquitos Lagoon. The tracks would then rise as they transition back into the existing railroad alignment north of the Sorrento Valley Station. $3.7–$4.9
This would definitely have permanent effects on properties. Would have same requirements for ventilation shafts, emergency access, on private property. Apparently uses existing tracks through Carlsbad (erosion disruption) and San Clemente (landslide disruption)
16. Locate North Portal at Under Jimmy Durante Boulevard to South Portal at Torrey Pines Road (Proposed NOP Alternative Alignment C – Camino Del Mar Alignment.) VA Alternative 16 is the same as Alternative C from the June 2024 NOP . This alternative concept is approximately 4.9 miles in Written Communications – PC
Curry – Received 2/26/2025
length and would descend immediately south of the rail bridge that spans over San Dieguito Lagoon and enter the north portal, which would be located north of the intersection of Camino Del Mar and Jimmy Durante Boulevard. The portal’s infrastructure would cross underneath Jimmy Durante Boulevard, which would be raised. The portal structures could extend into commercial and residential properties. This alternative concept would continue south and exit at the south portal located near the intersection of Carmel Valley Road and North Torrey Pines Road. The portal infrastructure would cross underneath Carmel Valley Road and potentially extend into residential properties. The alignment would continue south on bridge and berm over Los Peñasquitos Lagoon, and then transition back to the existing railroad alignment. The existing railroad alignment within Los Peñasquitos Lagoon would be double-tracked, which would require raising and widening the existing berm in the lagoon to address flooding and sea level rise projections. $3.3–$4.4
There would be permanent effects on properties. Would have same requirements for ventilation shafts, emergency access, on private property. The lagoon bridge and berm sounds like a bit of a gamble on how far the sea level will rise.Apparently uses existing tracks through Carlsbad (erosion disruption) and San Clemente (landslide disruption)
Paul Henkin