What is the Coastal Rail Trail?
The Coastal Rail Trail is a planned continuous bikeway that runs approximately 44 miles between Oceanside and Santa Fe Depot in Downtown San Diego. The Coastal Rail Trail was initially planned in the mid-1990s, and is being constructed in segments by SANDAG and the various cities it traverses.
Who is responsible for building this project?
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is the lead agency responsible for constructing the project; SANDAG has and will continue to collaborate with the City of Encinitas and North County Transit District (NCTD) throughout the process.
What is the first Encinitas segment of the Coastal Rail Trail and where will it be built?
The first Encinitas segment of the Coastal Rail Trail is a proposed 1.7-mile bikeway between E Street and Chesterfield Drive that is intended to provide a comfortable environment for people of all ages and abilities to ride their bikes and walk. This segment will run along San Elijo and Vulcan avenues on the east side of the NCTD railroad right-of-way, between E Street and Chesterfield Drive in the City of Encinitas.
Has feedback been solicited from the community?
SANDAG, in collaboration with the City of Encinitas, has hosted three public workshops since 2013. SANDAG also has presented to Encinitas City Council and numerous groups in the community. Community feedback is an important part of the planning process and interested parties will have additional opportunities to provide input as the project progresses.
How was the alignment along San Elijo and Vulcan avenues selected?
In 2014, a concept was developed for the Encinitas segment to be a Class I (completely separated from vehicle traffic) shared use path in the NCTD railroad right-of-way. In April 2015, SANDAG presented two options at a community meeting: 1) along Coast Highway 101 and 2) a revised version of the previous concept in the NCTD railroad right-of-way, along Vulcan and San Elijo avenues. In May 2015, the Encinitas City Council directed city staff and SANDAG to develop plans to implement the second alignment option.
Why is this project needed and what are the benefits?
This project would provide safe and convenient connectivity for people walking and riding bikes in Encinitas. The proposed path will help to create a network of facilities to offer people transportation options in the community by providing safe routes for people to walk and bike to parks, shops, schools, and restaurants.
The project will help fulfill the vision laid out in the San Diego Regional Bike Plan to make riding a bike a useful form of transportation for everyday travel by connecting people of all ages and abilities to many community assets, including beaches, schools, neighborhoods, transit, employment, and other key destinations.
What will the proposed Encinitas segment include?
The Encinitas segment would include a combination of on- and off-street bikeways. The off-street bikeway is planned to be a paved multi-use path with a wide natural-surface shoulder, as space allows, going from Chesterfield north at least to Santa Fe, following the route of the existing dirt trail to the greatest extent possible. Areas disturbed by construction will be replanted with locally appropriate native vegetation, and landscaping will be limited to gateway areas. In addition, we are considering on-street improvements consisting of bike lanes and shared lane markings (sharrows), depending on available space. The on-road portion could extend from Montgomery Avenue, north to E Street. Final plans for the on-road portion will be up to the City and there will be opportunities for continued public input on this element of the plan.
Will this project affect parking?
We recognize that people have become accustomed to parking illegally in the NCTD railroad right-of-way and crossing the tracks to get to the beach. NCTD is the owner of this right of way and has a MOU with the city that will serve as a framework for how future parking, if any, will be made available. Changes to parking are unavoidable in certain locations.
Will this project affect emergency vehicle access?
No, this project is not anticipated to impede emergency vehicle access to nearby homes and neighborhoods. SANDAG and the City of Encinitas will continue to coordinate with local first responders to ensure emergency service providers are informed of the project plans.
Will this project impact traffic?
The project is intended to improve transportation options in Encinitas and, in particular, create better connections from neighborhoods to key destinations throughout coastal communities without using a car. Planned changes to the roadway may lower driving speeds, increasing the safety of all road users, however traffic flow is expected to remain the same or improve.
Will there be a fence constructed alongside the rail line for this project?
A 4-foot post and cable fence that will not obstruct views, similar to that in place at the Santa Fe undercrossing, is planned for this project. A fence is required per NCTD Board direction to help prevent crossing the tracks in non-dedicated areas, which is illegal, dangerous, and is considered trespassing onto NCTD railroad right-of-way. In the project area, three legal crossings allow for beach access at Santa Fe and Chesterfield drives and E Street.
In addition, the City of Encinitas is independently developing an at-grade rail crossing at Montgomery Avenue. SANDAG is not working on this project directly, but will coordinate Coastal Rail Trail design work with the City of Encinitas.
What is the project status?
The project is currently in the preliminary engineering phase, after which the project will transition to environmental review, final design, and construction. Further information about the project’s environmental review will be provided once the preliminary engineering phase is completed. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2017 and the project is expected to be completed in winter 2017.
What is the project’s environmental review process?
After the preliminary engineering phase is completed, the project’s environmental review will be performed in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Before construction, the project will obtain all required permits and/or approvals related to the protection of plants, wildlife, water quality, and other environmental resource topics.
How is the project funded?
Design, engineering, and construction of the Encinitas segment of the Coastal Rail Trail are funded by federal, state, and local funds, including the regional TransNet half-cent sales tax for transportation administered by SANDAG.
How can I stay informed about the project?