NCTD Proposed $585M Budget for Fairgrounds Station and Stabilizing Del Mar Bluffs

Courtesy of HDR

DEL MAR, Calif. – The North County Transit District (NCTD) has outlined a proposed budget of $585 million which would go toward stabilizing the eroding Del Mar bluffs and a fairgrounds train station.

North County Transit District officials outlined a budget of $585 million needed for capital improvements, which include a fairgrounds train station and stabilization of the Del Mar bluffs, according to a report from the San Diego Union-Tribune. However, officials “only anticipate getting enough money to accomplish about one-third of the projects.” CFO Officer, Eun Park-Lynch said to the board that “Project needs always exceed funding that’s available.” In order to rank projects for funding, district officials review these projects based on multiple criteria. 

For the upcoming 2024-2025 fiscal year budget, there will be funds from the state’s Senate Bill 125. This bill “provides $4 billion statewide for the Transit and Intercity Rail Program over the next two years.” The NCTD expects to receive $95.5 million of that over the next two years from the statewide rail program as well as $16.5 million over the next four years from a Zero Emission Capital Transit Program. $50 million of that state funding will go toward adding a second track “at the San Dieguito Lagoon and a special events platform, or small station, to serve the Del Mar Fairgrounds.”

Roughly 75% of the San Diego County rail corridor has been double-tracked, and the addition of a second track would improve service and efficiency. However, some of the other work would be “costly” because of “replacing old bridges, crossing sensitive wetlands, or rerouting through or around difficult spots.” Additionally, $10 million from SB-125 would go toward stabilizing the Del Mar bluffs. RT&S has reported on the eroding bluffs in the past. This work has been in “stages for more than 20 years.”

The five-year $585 million budget plan includes unfunded projects, including the proposed Carlsbad Village double-track to lower the track below street level. This project alone would cost an estimated $560 million. Other unfunded projects that need to be double-tracked include segments in Sorrento Valley and Leucadia, which are estimated to cost $250 million.

The funding is expected in the first few fiscal years, “with $63.4 million coming in fiscal 2024-2025.” However, projects “beyond the current year are subject to change,” according to Park-Lynch. This is because the district revises the five-year outlook each year. Most of the budget pays for “state of good repair” projects for bus and train services and includes safety improvements and implementation of the PTC system. In June 2024, the budget will return (with revisions) to the board for approval.