More strength needed for Del Mar bluffs stabilization project

Written by RT&S Staff
SANDAG rail projects
The North County Transit District wants to build a fence where trespassing is a problem along the railroad right-of-way.
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Strengthening efforts currently under way at the Del Mar bluffs in southern California need to be, well, more buff.

The San Diego Association of Governments wants the California Coastal Commission to approve three changes to the stabilization project in San Diego.

A retaining wall located at the bottom of the bluff near 12th Street needs to be increased in height by 3 ft. Four more soldier piles need to be installed on the upper bluff near 12th Street, and erosion needs to be addressed on the upper bluff near Seventh Street.

The California Coastal Commission is recommending approval of the changes, and that could happen during a virtual meeting on July 10.

The wooden retaining wall will be 360 ft long when complete and is supposed to protect the bluff from waves and prevent landslides originating on the upper slope.

The upper slope now has a 20 ft gap between soldier piles that were placed in 2008 and another stabilization effort in 1998. The installation of new soldier piles, which now total 17, will fill in the gap and strengthen a deteriorating concrete buttress.

Also on the repair list are two 20-ft sections of bluff that were impacted by storm runoff during the winter of 2019.

An essential railroad track that carries freight and passenger trains is located along the bluffs.

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