NCTD says STB mediator for Del Mar fence issue would be ‘a waste of the board’s resources’
Written by RT&S Staff
Del Mar Bluffs
File Photo
The North County Transit District has set a date and will move forward with the installation of a safety fence along the Del Mar bluffs.
In the meantime, the California Coastal Commission and city of Del Mar are hoping to take down a wall.
The CCC and city are reaching out to the Surface Transportation Board to see if it could mediate the fencing dispute with the NCTD. In its January meeting, the NCTD extended a deadline to accept modifications to the original fence design to Feb. 28. However, if Del Mar officials are not on board construction will begin without the modifications.
The NCTD was first going to move forward with a chain-link fence, but after receiving negative feedback the agency did come up with alternatives. The revisions included a reduction in the overall length of the fence from 12,960 to 5,698 ft, lowering some sections from 6 ft tall to 4 ft tall, and replacing some areas with a post-and-cable design instead of the chain link look to help with aesthetics. Parts of the fence also would be moved off the upper bluff and down to track level where it would be out of view of the coastal homes.
Del Mar Mayor Terry Gaasterland said the modifications were “devastating.” The NCTD said discussions about the modifications were constructive and held some promise at times, but after a lengthy negotiation period it appears an agreement cannot be reached. Furthermore, NCTD believes mediation at this stage of the game would be “a waste of the board’s resources and another veiled attempt to delay a vital safety fencing project necessary” to save lives.
Watch videos of the proposed modifications.
The NCTD is still hoping the city of Del Mar will accept a licensing agreement so it could move forward with the alternative plan.
