The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is again stirring the pot with its latest undertaking, the LOSSAN Rail Realignment Project, which aims to reshape how trains traverse the scenic yet unstable Del Mar coastline. According to a recent announcement by SANDAG, the group has released a value analysis study in the wake of public concern and suggestions concerning the Notice of Preparation for the project. This examination explores alternatives to relocate the tracks, balancing technical practicality with community desire.
Amplifying the list of potential track trajectories, SANDAG has appended thirteen fresh routes to the previously proposed alignments. One resident, Tom Sullivan, who has experienced the rails and witnessed coastal erosion first-hand, shared his disbelief with NBC San Diego, saying, "It’s just strange, especially in Southern California, especially San Diego to have major train lines that would run underground." Meanwhile, others in the community like Frank Sherer voice concerns over potential disruptions to their hometown of Del Mar, where Sherer has lived for some 40 years, he expressed a fear that home life could be rattled by the underground tunnelling.
Del Mar's mayor, Terry Gaasterland, has chimed in with a preference for Alignments 10 and 14 due to their virtuous path not directly below residential homes. Gaasterland told NBC San Diego, "We, as Del Mar residents, will be asking and demanding: Look at these alignments that take the train out from under people’s homes." Estimates suggest that Alignment 10 could cost between $30 billion and $45 billion, while Alignment 14 may cost between $7 billion and $9 billion.
