California State Rail Plan 2007-08 to 2017-18

2007-08 – 2017-18 California State Rail PlanREGIONAL SERVICE INITIATIVESThe San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Draft 2007 RegionalTransportation Plan proposes significant improvements to service frequencies by2020 including service every 20 minutes at peak times and every 60 minutesoff-peak. Enabling these improvements to occur will require double-tracking alongthe entire rail corridor. In the near term, the only way to significantly increaseservice capacity is by operating longer consists. Intermediate term objectivesproposed are designed to increase service as double tracking is incrementallyadded over the next twenty years. The adopted 2007-2011 SANDAG RegionalShort-Range Transit Plan proposed as a strategy to provide additional weekendservice including Sundays.CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMNCTD’s capital needs to support current and future service levels on the Coaster,as well as Amtrak, BNSF, and Metrolink, are at a critical crossroads. NCTD isworking to improve its infrastructure, including rail equipment purchases andmajor system overhauls, bridge and track improvements, facility and maintenanceimprovements, radio communication upgrades, technology enhancements, andemergency response and system safety upgrades. However, there is currently nofunding available for many of the most critical right-of-way infrastructure needs.These crucial projects are needed to maintain and increase safety and ridership,and improve reliability of the service. If funding is not found to startimplementing these infrastructure replacement projects in the next few years,NCTD will have no choice but to start reducing corridor speeds, and ultimately,service levels.Funded ProjectsOceanside Passing Track – This Department project entails two components.The first is construction of a 1.2 mile long passing track extension that will crossLoma Alta Creek on a new concrete bridge. The second is to replace the existingtimber trestle bridge over Loma Alta Creek with a concrete bridge.Santa Margarita Bridge Replacement and Second Main Track – This projectwill consist of three components: (1) replacement of the existing single-trackSanta Margarita River Railroad Bridge with a new two-track bridge, (2)construction of a 0.8 mile new second main track, and (3) an upgrade andrealignment of the existing 1.7 mile Fallbrook Junction Passing Track. Inaddition, the westerly 0.2-mile of the existing Stuart Mesa Passing Track will berealigned to accommodate new turnouts, signal modifications, retainedembankments, and drainage facilities.140