Fairgrounds voices concern over rail realignment option that would impact operations

Kasia Gregorczyk
·2 min read
3

DEL MAR, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) – The controversial plan to move the train off the bluffs in Del Mar by building a tunnel is picking up steam.

With the San Diego County Fair in full swing, officials there are raising concerns about how one of the project options would affect operations at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

“How do we sell events in terms of, come have an event next to this giant hole in the ground,” said Tristan Hallman, chief communications officer for fairgrounds.

After countless meetings and community input, the San Diego Association Of Governments has presented three possible alignments.

“Option A” goes from the bluffs to the I-5 freeway. A portion of the alignment would run under the fairgrounds.

“That’s where the midway is, that’s where the carnival is,” Hallman said.

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Hallman says the fairgrounds acknowledges the train must move off the bluffs, but officials there have serious concerns about how the project would affect not only the fair, but also events all year around.

“We have a $680 million economic impact annually. This fair alone is $237 million of that,” Hallman said.

The I-5 alignment would begin in Solana Beach. It is the longest route and the most expensive.

“We thought this was an option that had already been ruled out. It does impact us, but obviously it’s still in the running,” Hallman said.

The option has also drawn criticism from the mayor of Solana Beach, but support from many residents who want to avoid the other two options, which have more of a direct impact on homes and businesses in the heart of Del Mar.

SANDAG declined to interview Friday, but continues to welcome public feedback on each step of the project.

SANDAG is preparing to begin the environmental impact report for the realignment project, studying all three options. The goal is for that to be complete by 2026 and construction could begin as early as 2028.

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