Friday morning rail news in brief:
— The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued a set of guidelines to help mass transit managers decide when to reopen or increase service following the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as specific guidelines for transit operators and workers. The transit “decision tree” is one of a series of documents to provide guidance on opening or reopening of schools, restaurants and bars, and other public spaces, in response to calls from lawmakers and public officials for CDC input on how to reopen local economies, National Public Radio reports. Many of the recommended measures — increased cleaning, increasing space between passengers to aid social distancing, and employee use of face coverings — have already been adopted by transit and commuter rail agencies. It also calls for ongoing, daily monitoring of employees for signs and symptoms of illness, as feasible.
— Caltrans, the California Department of Transportation, has released a feasibility study recommending the building of a railroad tunnel through the Miramar Hill area that would cut 6 to 7 minutes off travel times for Coaster commuter trains and Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliners. The tunnel would eliminate a long loop around Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, the Times of San Diego reports. The San Diego Association of Government has estimated the project, part of more some $2.9 billion in proposed improvements on the rail line, could cost about $500 million.
— The initial segment of Honolulu’s commuter rail line is now projected to open in March 2021, three months later than previously forecast. The $9.2 billion project is behind schedule because of “normal operational issues” as well as the COVID-19 oubreak, Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation CEO Andrew Robbins told the Honolulu City Council. West Hawaii Today reports that the track for the first 10-mile segment of the 20-mile system is complete, and nine stations along that segment are almost done.
