NCTD proposal to fence coastal railroad tracks draws strong opposition at Del Mar council meeting
A Coaster train on the bluffs in Del Mar, where the transit district plans to install a fence to keep trespassers off the tracks.
(Union-Tribune)
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A proposal by the North County Transit District to install a 1.4-mile-long, 6-foot-high chain-link fence along each side of the railroad tracks atop Del Mar’s beachfront bluff drew an ocean of condemnation from city residents and council members at a council meeting on Monday, Jan. 11.
Residents and council members alike said the proposed fencing – from south of 4th Street to Seagrove Park - would obstruct beach access, denigrate pristine ocean views, and potentially lower property values and discourage tourism.
Officials urge action after three traffic accidents leave four dead in Ramona
A driver and a passenger were killed Jan. 10 after their car veered off San Vincente Road, CHP officials said.
(Sentinel file photo)
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For Ramona, which sees a number of traffic accidents on its rural, sometimes winding roads, this past week was a deadly one.
Four people died in three separate traffic accidents one that occurred on Jan. 7 on state Route 78 and two on Sunday, Jan. 10 on SR-78 and San Vicente Road.
“In the past we’ve had a spate of unfortunate accidents,” said Robin Joy Maxson, vice chair of the Ramona Community Planning Group, which has made traffic safety issues particularly the widening of state Route 67 among its top priorities.
Rancho Bernardo Planning Board seeks election candidates
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Rancho Bernardo residents who would like to have a say in community issues have one more chance to meet the eligibility requirement to be an RB Planning Board candidate.
Those interested in running during the board’s March election must have documented attendance at a full board meeting during the past 12 months, according to the board’s election rules. The Declaration of Candidacy form states the requirement must be fulfilled prior to February’s meeting.
This means, if those interested have not yet met the requirement, their last opportunity to do so is the board’s 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21 meeting. It will be held online via Zoom due to the pandemic. To request the link, send an email to RBPBChair@gmail.com by 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21.
Illegal crossing in Oceanside (in foreground), 400 feet south of legal underpass
The North County Transit District held off on plans to install the Del Mar portion of its rail corridor fencing last fall due to intense opposition, but as the year begins, the waiting is over.
Construction is imminent, city officials say. On Monday (Jan 11), transit district staff told the city council why the six-foot tall chain-link fencing that will run along both sides of the tracks for 1.5 miles, from the south end of Del Mar to Coast Boulevard, is so badly needed. We have an obligation to mitigate the risk, said Tony Kranz, transit district board chair and deputy mayor of Encinitas, one of three cities that were part of a safety study now in its final phase. Encinitas, Oceanside, and Del Mar were chosen for their high incidence of trespassing compared to other locations along the corridor.
Tue January 12, 2021 - West Edition #2
Irwin Rapoport â CEG Correspondent
The coastal bluffs in the city of Del Mar is an integral part of the 351-mi. Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) rail corridor that is a vital link for passenger and freight movements within San Diego County and San Diego, Los Angeles and points farther north.
Crews from
Blue Pacific Engineering and Construction (BPEC) completed Phase 4 of the
Del Mar Bluffs Stabilization project in December 2020 for San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and the North County Transit District (NCTD) to stabilize portions of the coastal bluffs in the city of Del Mar. This is an integral part of the 351-mi. Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) rail corridor that is a vital link for passenger and freight movements within San Diego County and San Diego, Los Angeles and points farther north.