Progress Continues on SANDAG and NCTD Emergency Bluff Repairs in Del Mar
Oceanside, CA – This weekend, a full rail closure along the passenger and freight rail line between Solana Beach and San Diego will be in effect to accommodate Del Mar Bluff Stabilization emergency repairs.
The closure will take place just after 12 a.m. Saturday, April 17, through early morning Tuesday, April 20.
In addition to the extended rail closure this weekend, a partial rail closure between Solana Beach Station and Santa Fe Depot in Downtown San Diego will take place to accommodate additional emergency bluff repairs:
• Saturday, April 24, at 12 a.m. through Monday, April 26, at 4 a.m.
These closures will affect three rail services operating on the San Diego segment of the Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor: North County Transit District COASTER, Amtrak, and the freight carrier, BNSF. Additional service details are noted below.
The following work will be done during this weekend’s closure:
In Del Mar, crews will install tieback anchors along previously placed support columns into the bluffs south of 4th Street as part of emergency repairs following a bluff collapse in late February. The work includes drilling holes into the bluffs, placing anchors, and filling the holes with concrete. Emergency stabilization repairs are expected to be complete by summer 2021. As noted above, additional rail closures are planned between Solana Beach and Downtown San Diego in April to accommodate the emergency repairs.
During construction, nearby residents and businesses can expect intermittent noise and lights. Please visit GoNCTD.com, Amtrak.com, or MetrolinkTrains.com for alternate route schedules.
Service Impacts
Weekend COASTER service is currently suspended due to COVID-19 service reductions; however, the upcoming weekend closure will affect Amtrak trains. During the partial closure on Monday, April 19, NCTD will operate a bus bridge between Solana Beach and Santa Fe Depot. COASTER service will maintain its normal operations and schedule between Oceanside and Solana Beach; however, passengers traveling southbound past Solana beach will travel via BREEZE bus. The southbound BREEZE buses will transport COASTER passengers from Solana Beach to each COASTER station, terminating at Santa Fe Depot. Northbound BREEZE buses will transport COASTER passengers from Santa Fe Depot, Old Town, and Sorrento Valley stations to all COASTER stations north, terminating at Oceanside Transit Center. Regular rail service will resume in time for Tuesday weekday morning commute.
For questions about COASTER service during any of these rail closures, please contact NCTD Customer Service at (760) 966-6500. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner tickets will be required for any Amtrak related replacement service. Amtrak customers may visit PacificSurfliner.com or call (800) 872-7245 for the latest information.
Project Manager(s)
For media inquiries, please contact the SANDAG Public Information Office at (619) 699-1950 or pio@sandag.org.
