The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is starting the next phase of a process to re-route its coastal railway line due to climate change.
The San Diego LOSSAN Rail Realignment project is considering potential new routes that will move the tracks away from eroding coastal bluffs. SANDAG has opened a 45-day period of public consultation, which will end on 19th July.
There are three proposed alternative routes, of which two were derived from previous conceptual studies and one was put forward by the public.
All of the alternatives include moving approximately 1.7 miles of the existing single-track route away from the bluffs and into a double-track alignment in a tunnel under the hillside.
Over the coming year, several studies will be undertaken to consider any potential environmental impacts of each alternative. SANDAG has already undertaken preliminary engineering and environmental work in 2023, and is consulting with experts in tunnel design from across the world to evaluate safety and environmental concerns.
For more than 20 years, SANDAG has led efforts to preserve the cliffs. There have been repeated disruptions to rail services throughout this period due to landslides, erosion and seismic activity.
The LOSSAN Corridor is a vital rail link carrying almost four million passengers each year. It also enables the movement of more than $1 billion (~£780 million) in goods for imports and exports across the US.
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