From the nctimes.com:
Surfers and other pedestrians routinely trespass as they cross rail tracks in Encinitas. By next fall, they could have a safer option.
The California Public Utilities Commission approved plans Thursday for a $4.5 million underground pedestrian rail crossing at Santa Fe Drive and San Elijo Boulevard, just east of popular Swami’s Beach.
Legal spots to cross the tracks —- which separate most of the city’s residential neighborhoods from its beaches and downtown —- are few and far between in the relaxed coastal burg.
“Now we won’t have to be breaking the law —- we do every day,” said Beth, an Encinitas woman who gave only her first name, as she set out across the tracks with her toy poodle, Petra. “I’m all for it,” added Josie White, who has lived just east of the tracks on Vulcan Avenue since 1956 and called them “a nuisance” for nearly everyone in town.
Construction on the tunnel could start by September or October and last about 12 months, said Frank Owsiany, a senior engineer with the San Diego Association of Governments, the regional agency managing the project.
A combination of regional, state and federal grants will pay for the tunnel, officials said.
Plans for three more pedestrian rail tunnels in Encinitas are on hold because of a lack of funding, Owsiany said. Those crossings would run near Montgomery Avenue and San Elijo Boulevard; El Portal and Vulcan; and Hillcrest Drive and Vulcan.
Construction plans for the Santa Fe tunnel call for a 7-foot-wide walkway, at least 8 feet of clearance, and lighting along its length. The tunnel would be compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act and lead to a protected crosswalk on South Coast Highway and 8 feet of clearance.
Roughly 44 passenger trains traveling up to 90 mph, plus seven freight trains, rush down the tracks each day. The number of trains is expected to double in coming years as a second rail track is added, said Encinitas City Councilman Jerome Stocks.
Encinitas traffic Sgt. Mark O’Connor said Thursday he did not have an exact number on how many train-versus-pedestrian accidents occur along the rail line.
But, he said, there’s typically about one per month somewhere along the coastal line stretching from Orange County to San Diego, or the inland line from Oceanside to Escondido.
“It’s fatal when it happens,” O’Connor said, adding the tunnel would “greatly improve” safety in the area.
They should trench the train tracks like Solana Beach or better yet put a lid on them with parks & trails, bike paths. Then daylight the trains at the lagoons.
Good idea to increase access but bad use of funds.
Pedestrian tunnels tend to become homeless camps, which could send people right back to the tracks again.
What is wrong with looking both ways?
Daniel, have you ever tried to cross a highway?
*SPLAT!*
Francois – i am sure a blind man could cross a highway with only 51 semi-trucks per day.
Btw, I can already smell the urine stench from the proposed tunnel…..what a waste of $$$$$.
People will still walk over the tracks vs walking a 1/2 mile to the tunnel.
The doubling of the number of trains is an interesting concept – is it going to happen because the demand is so high?
Or do they expect the cost of gasoline to cause people to choose alternatives?
I doubt there is enough train riders now to warrant a whole lot more trips, maybe a couple?
I can’t understand why they will not install at-grade crossings. At-grade crossings have to be a much cheaper alternative.
Travis – how would that increase safety?
I ran across the Harbor Freeway near downtown Los Angeles after getting a flat tire in the fast lane. Had to stop at the line between the number two and three lanes. Of course, I was only twelve at the time, with my father and I on our way to the Dodger game. In 1967 there was traffic, but the spacing was much better than now. We also have cell phones, which does away with the need for call boxes.
Kwaping – I did not think that safety was the primary issue. I thought the issue was providing legal access. Many people illegally cross at-grade currently.
There are at-grade crossings at numerous nearby locations: Chesterfield Dr, Leucadia Blvd, Coast Blvd (Del Mar), Sorrento Valley Coaster Station, San Clemente Pier. The Del Mar crossing is nearly blind as the northbound train rounds the bend. I’ve not heard of many pedestrians being struck by the train at these locations.
It just doesn’t seem like the smartest way to spend money, when a cheaper alternative may be nearly as safe. Underpass crossings cost 15x more than at-grade crossings. The following presentation identifies security concerns for underpass crossings (as tj & the bear and clearfund indicated). If they want to spend the money, it seems bridges would be better.
http://tti.tamu.edu/conferences/rail05/program/presentations/gs8/mathieu.pdf