Proposed Rail Tunnel Through Del Mar Fairgrounds is Voted Down
Written by David C. Lester, Editor-in-Chief
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner along the coast of southern California. Photo courtesy of Amtrak.
SAN DIEGO –– In August 2023, RT&S reported on the proposal of a rail tunnel under Del Mar as a way to get the rail off of the Del Mar Bluffs. Residents were opposed to it then. They're opposed to it now.
Below is a link to last year’s story: SANDAG Plans For Rail Tunnel Under Del Mar Opposed by Residents
In addition, there were three proposed routes, with the Del Mar Tunnel as being one of them, and you can see from the map we ran with another Del Mar story:
You can read the the second story by following this link: https://www.rtands.com/safety/sandag-selects-three-options-for-del-mar-train-tunnel/?RTchannel=
Indeed, The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the proposed rail tunnel has been unanimously voted down by the 22nd District Agricultural board. Readers may recall that this route was designated Alternative A.
Alternative A was originally the preferred route for most Del Mar residents because it would minimize tunneling under Del Mar homes and because it followed Interstate 5. Alternatives B and C would have required more tunneling under Del Mar homes, and residents are concerned about construction noise and train noise once the system is in operation. Nevertheless, Alternative A would cost more than the other alternatives and be the longest tunnel of the three being considered.
The Del Mar Fairgrounds is opposed to Alternative A because of potential damage and revenue loss for the facility. The Union-Tribune reports that fairgrounds CEO Carlene Moore said “The annual San Diego County Fair and horse racing are the district’s primary sources of income.
Moore added that “Tunnel construction could force the suspension of the fair and racing for 10 years or longer. The lost revenue would threaten the area economy and the survival of the district.”
