DEL MAR, Calif. — As the San Diego Association of Governments considers potential routes for a rail tunnel to replace the Surf Line route along the Del Mar bluffs, it can rest assured of one thing: Whatever it does, someone will be unhappy.
SANDAG recently chose three potential routes for the tunnel in order to begin the environmental-report process [see “Planning agency narrows potential routes …,” Trains News Wire, June 5, 2024]. Initial response suggested most Del Mar residents preferred “Alternative A,” which would in part follow Interstate 5 and likely tunnel under fewer homes than the others. That would also make it the longest and most expensive of the three choices.
But that option includes one portal at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, and KUSI-TV reports fairgrounds officials are not happy about that prospect.
“How do we sell events in terms, ‘Come have an event next to this giant hole in the ground?’ Tristan Hallman, the fairgrounds’ chief communications officer, told the station. The proposed route is “where the midway is, where the carnival is,” Hallman said.
The fairgrounds is concerned about the impact on the annual San Diego County Fair, but on events it hosts year-round. Hallman says the facility has an annual economic impact of $680 million, with the fair accounting for $237 million of that.
SANDAG is still accepting comments on the route proposals through July 19. Information on commenting is available here.
