San Diego region awarded $10.5 million for Del Mar Bluff repairs

The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and North County Transit District (NCTD) received $10.5 million from the State Transportation Improvement Program’s Interregional Transportation Improvement Program administered by the California Transportation Commission (CTC).

The funds will allow SANDAG and NCTD to complete repairs along the Del Mar Bluffs following a late February collapse.

“This funding will make it possible to complete emergency repairs that are critical to ensuring the LOSSAN rail line – the second busiest in the nation – can continue operations while SANDAG explores plans to permanently move the tracks off the bluffs,” SANDAG Chair and Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear stated.

On Feb. 28, the Del Mar Bluffs suffered a failure just south of 4th St. in the City of Del Mar and geotechnical experts determined that train service could be operated safely at a reduced speed. Over the course of two weekend rail closures in March, called Absolute Work Windows, SANDAG construction crews successfully stabilized the area of the collapse. However, more work is planned to ensure the reliability and safety of the railroad tracks.

Over the next several months, construction crews will install up to 18 support columns along the upper bluffs to support the railroad and build a new seawall along the beach to reinforce the base of the bluffs. The work is expected to be complete in July 2021.

The SANDAG and NCTD have identified the funding needed to accelerate the final two phases of stabilization projects, Del Mar Bluffs Phases 5 and 6. Phase 5 is currently funded through construction and will address additional seismic and general stabilization needs, install additional support columns, and replace more aging drainage structures. Phase 6 will continue to provide long-term rehabilitation and stabilization work, including protecting the base of the bluffs against additional bluff retreat. Simultaneously, to ensure the long-term viability of the corridor, SANDAG is currently evaluating alternative strategies to move the tracks completely off the bluffs. Phase 5 of bluff stabilization is anticipated to begin in early 2023.

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