Coastal Connections Conceptual Planning Study / Del Mar Pedestrian Study

Aerial photo of Del Mar Bluffs

NEW: Coastal Connections Final Study Report Available

View the full FINAL Study Report:

Coastal Connections FINAL Report - posted April 16, 2023 

Appendix A: California Coastal Commission Del Mar Bluffs Staff Reports

Appendix B: Study Outreach Plan / Questions + Reponses

Appendix C: Initial Screening Matrix

Appendix D: Cost Estimates

Appendix E: Santa Claus Lane Approval Materials

Appendix F: Montgomery Ave Wayside Horn Report

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

View Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and answers about the Coastal Connections Study

 

Coastal Connections Conceptual Planning Study Overview

The Coastal Connections Conceptual Planning Study is assessing the opportunities and constraints of potential pedestrian trails and crossings of the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor, the nation’s second-busiest passenger rail corridor. The study area is in Del Mar between Coast Boulevard and Torrey Pines State Beach, along a 1.5-mile section of the rail corridor situated among coastal bluffs.

Currently, many pedestrians enter railroad property in this area, both to cross the corridor and to walk along the bluffs. This creates safety concerns for pedestrians and risks impacting passenger and freight rail services. Additional safety measures such as corridor fencing are planned for installation, which necessitates a study of potential crossings to accommodate coastal access in a safe and legal manner. 

The Coastal Connections study is objectively evaluating a range of potential pedestrian access improvements including overcrossings, trails, and beach access points. The project team will not recommend any one solution as a preferred option, but rather present many potential options to the community, including summaries of the expected benefits, costs, and potential tradeoffs of each. 

The study is being led by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) with support from agency stakeholders including the City of Del Mar, North County Transit District, the California Coastal Commission, and Caltrans. 

 

Coastal Connections Study Schedule 

  • Summer 2021: Assessment of existing conditions 
  • Fall 2021 - Spring 2022: Development of initial draft concepts 
  • Spring 2022 - Fall 2022: Evaluation and refinement of draft concepts 
  • December 2022 - January 2023: Community review including open house meeting 
  • February 2023 - April 2023: Refined concepts and final report 

Following the study’s completion in spring 2023, the next step will be to continue advancing the most promising improvement concepts through a community-focused planning and design process. 

 

SANDAG Community Open House held on December 7, 2022

After months of meeting with stakeholder agencies and organizations, SANDAG hosted a community open house event to present the initial draft concepts for the Coastal Connections study. The project team invited the public to share their preferences and opinions on potential pedestrian access improvements including rail corridor crossings, trails, and beach access points.

The study area is between Coast Boulevard and Torrey Pines State Beach in Del Mar, along a 1.6-mile section of the rail corridor situated among coastal bluffs. The project team gave a study overview presentation and gathered feedback from the community on potential pedestrian access improvements, including the expected benefits, costs, and potential tradeoffs of each. 

The comment period was open from December 6, 2022 through January 31, 2023. SANDAG hosted a Community Open House on December 7, 2022 and a booth at the Del Mar Farmers Market on January 28, 2023, where comments were collected, and provided an online Comment Card. 

Coastal Connections Study Overview and Crossing Concepts
The following concepts were shared at the the Community Open House and the Del Mar Farmers Market, as well as via email and SANDAG social media:

Coastal Connections Conceptual Planning Study Overview

Concept 1: North–South Trail / Concept 1: Site Plan

Concept 2: At-Grade Crossing at 11th Street – Ramps and Stairs to the Beach

Concept 3: At-Grade Crossing at 11th Street – Stairs to the Beach

Concept 4: At-Grade Crossing at 7th–8th Street – Ramps to the Beach

Concept 5: At-Grade Crossing at 7th–8th Street – Stairs to the Beach

Concept 6: Undercrossing at 7th–8th Street – Ramps to the Beach

Concept 7: Undercrossing at 7th–8th Street – Stairs to the Beach


View the DRAFT Study Report

Coastal Connections DRAFT Report - posted December 7, 2022

 

Opportunities to Get Involved 

The study offers several opportunities to get involved and stay informed, including: 

Project Update emails: To be notified of study progress and upcoming events, please subscribe to our LOSSAN Rail Corridor email list. Be sure to select the “LOSSAN Rail” check box under "Transit & Rail Projects." 

Del Mar City Council: On October 4, 2021, the project team presented a brief introduction to the study at a Del Mar City Council meeting. To view the agenda and presentation details, please visit the City of Del Mar website.

Del Mar City Council: On December 5, 2022, the project team presented an update on the study at a Del Mar City Council meeting. To view the agenda and meeting details, please visit the City of Del Mar website or view the presentation slides.

Community Open House: On December 7, 2022, the project team hosted an open house event to solicit community feedback on the initial draft improvement concepts. Attendees were encouraged to share their preferences and opinions via comment cards as well as an online review portal. The materials from this event are listed on this page, above. View the Community Open House invitation.

Del Mar Farmers Market: On Saturday, January 28, 2023, the project team hosted a booth to solicit community feedback on the initial draft improvement concepts, which were the same as those shared at the Community Open House in December 2022. Attendees were encouraged to share their preferences and opinions via comment cards as well as an online review portal. The materials from this event are listed on this page, above.   

  

Contact

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Project Hotline: (858) 549-RAIL

Project Email: [email protected]

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