San Diegans preparing to ride the rails better make other plans for the first and third weekends in March. According to the City of Solana Beach's official website, the North County Transit District (NCTD) has announced there will be two rail closures this month to carry out necessary maintenance and upgrades along the coastal rail corridor. The COASTER service in San Diego County will not be available during these periods.
The first disruption is slated for the weekend of March 2-3, and again on March 23-24. Local residents living close to the rail lines have been warned to expect to suddenly hear heavy equipment noise and see bright lights during the overnight maintenance. NCTD has clarified that no bus services will replace the COASTER during the closures, but suggests the BREEZE Route 101 or Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) connections as possible alternatives for affected passengers.
Despite the inconvenience to weekend travelers, NCTD is reassuring commuters that normal service will promptly resume each following Monday morning. However, they should anticipate potential delays of up to fifteen minutes on those days. Residents near the rail corridor should also stay cautious as other vehicles will be operating along the railroad tracks during the closures, and safety around legal crossings is advised.
Those with travel plans disrupted by the rail work are encouraged to look ahead and get creative with their travel options. According to a statement on the City of Solana Beach's website, travelers in need of trip planning assistance can reach out to NCTD Customer Service or visit GoNCTD.com. For the latest updates on Amtrak and Metrolink services during these weekends, passengers may contact each service respectively through their advised contact points.
