What I Am Hearing From Del Mar Residents - Train Track
10/14/2026
One of my pledges is to be a City Councilmember who listens to residents throughout Del Mar and then does what is right for the entire community.
Over the past month, I have listened a lot. Residents are generally positive about our community but also voice concerns. In the next few weeks, I will share the concerns I have heard, my thoughts, as well as specifically what I would do if I have the privilege and responsibility of being a City Councilmember.
I previously shared residents’ concerns about new residential projects and Del Mar’ streets.
Today, I am sharing another concern of residents - the impact of trains under Del Mar.
I Repeatedly Hear Concerns About the Impact of Trains Under Del Mar.
Oesidents are rightfully concerned about trains under our community. The negative impact of a train tunnel being built under Del Mar is well documented.
Residents losing homes and being forced to move because of eminent domain. One estimate is that close to 50 Del Mar homes could be taken by eminent domain.
Major disruption to residents and businesses due to construction over a projected timeframe of 5-7 years.
Long term impact of trains operating under our homes and businesses - noise, vibration, fumes and potentially hazardous leaks should there ever be an accident or derailment. Depending on the route, several hundred homes would be at varying levels above the tunnel.
SANDAG had narrowed down track relocation to 3 route options. All of these options called for the taking of homes via eminent domain as well as significant tunneling under Del Mar homes. All of these options involved the negative impacts of noise, vibration and potential hazardous substances spills on homes above the tunnel.
Fortunately for Del Mar residents did not blindly accept SANDAG’s 3 options. The Coalition of Safer Trains, a grass-rout group of residents, fought hard to protect Del Mar residents and successfully lobbied SANDAG to consider a 4th option – the “Northern Yellow Line Option”. The Northern Yellow Line option routes the train tracks to run adjacent to the north side of the San Dieguito River along the Fairgrounds and Golf Center property to I-5 (See below). The Northern Yellow Line option is away from homes, therefore, there is no eminent domain, no noise or vibration impact, and a significantly lower risk if there is a hazardous substances spill.
Write While the Northern Yellow Line is a very good alternative for Del Mar, I believe there is a better option that has been recently proposed – Alignment 10.
Alignment 10 has the tracks running 25 miles along I-5 from Oceanside to Carmel Valley Road. Alignment 10 has even more benefits than the Northern Yellow Line as it can be leveraged for other important purposes as noted below.
What I Will Do as a City Councilmember
First, I would fight hard to make certain that any option that involved disruption to our community for an extended period of time or any eminent domain of residences is eliminated by SANDAG.
Second, while I would support the Northern Yellow Line, I would lobby my fellow City Councilmembers to aggressively pursue SANDAG’s Alignment 10 because that alternative actually makes sense and serves a number of purposes. I would propose a transit center near the existing RV park and I would propose affordable housing adjacent to that transit center.
The benefits of the I-5 Oceanside/Carmel Valley alignment:
1) No eminent domain of residences, no impact on coastal bluffs, no disruption to Del Mar residents or businesses, and likely no impact on property values.
2) The track follows I-5 so additional noise and vibration are not major issues.
3) I-5 safety barriers can be leveraged to include the train tracks so as to avoid pedestrian/train conflicts that currently exist.
4) A new railway/bus transit station that serves the needs of multiple communities as well as the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
5) Co-locating affordable housing near the transit facility would be beneficial to residents who rely on public transportation as well as help with Del Mar’s affordable housing requirement.
The I-5 Oceanside/Carmel Valley alignment is more expensive. However, it not only is the best solution for Del Mar but also the solution that better serves other communities.
Del Mar residents should not be subject to the dangers and negative impact
or train routes under the beautiful place we call home.
Contact
Reach out, I’m here to listen & chat.
Phone & Email
jeff@jgsturgis.com
+1-619-857-6857
© 2026. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy
Be on the List