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.
If Trains is going to continue using the digest format indicate it should be indicated in the title. Some one not interested transit could have missed the San Diego and Honolulu stories.
My father used to talk about building a tunnel into San Diego. He been dead for 17 years, so I am assuming this has discussed and studied going back to when the Santa Fe still owned the line.
What other benefits…how about avoiding going around an active Marine Corp Air Station?, or did everyone just ignore that part of the news blurb?
Mr. Landey, I have ridden the San Diegan/Surfliner a grand total of one RT between San Diego and LA. I know a bit about the territory more because of playing Train Dispatcher! I don’t think saving 6-7 minutes justifies the cost of the tunnel. What I see as the problem there is that it is single track part of the way, and speeds are 20 mph for freight and only 30 for passenger. They may have upgraded that since I bought the territory for the game, though. Someone else can tell you what the reality is
If I were the owner of land surrounding the right-of-way proposed to be replaced, I would buy it with the stipulation that the tracks be left in place.
Mr Ray, exactly how is this ” fake news”? Caltans issues a report and the media reports it. Simply because you dont like it doesn’t make it fake. Explain.
Is anyone familar with the Miramar Hill site? Are there other benefits besides cutting travel time such as freeing up the old ROW for sale? Plz. comment.
Their acronym, CDC, is literally NOT workin, so we takin advice from them?
if they do build a tunnel through miramar hill how come the earlier railroad builders never thought of it in the first place ?
$500 million to save 6-7 minutes. Sounds like a real deal. Please let it just be financed by California.
One other thing they should consider is a line extending north to Escondido and paralleling I-15. I don’t know where that fits on the wish list of things, but when I was living in the area I would have done just about anything to not have to deal with I-15 in the morning. The usual rant, the usual disclaimer, there’s a lake of stew and of whiskey too, you can paddle all around in a big canoe.
PS No the line does not go thru Miramar NAS just near it.
Looking at the map(it takes a couple of minutes to find the loop), it makes sense what Caltrans wants. From vague memories, what Caltrans wants to do is run a tunnel in the area of UC San Diego in the La Jolla area. Currently the tracks going north hang a right off the I-5 follow a draw up a hill, up a grade then make a left horseshoe curve and then down grade and a right near Sorrento Valley Rd. What I remember is several miles of restricted speed curves and the hill. If you look at the map I think Caltrans wants to build a tunnel under I-5 that would eliminate the grades and curvature. Expensive but doable. Google maps location https://www.google.com/maps/32.8928398-117.22787914z/data=3m11e3hl=en
If you look on Google Maps the railroad does not go around the air station, it makes a 180 degree turn to the west of it at Miramar Summit (convex towards the air station). This is just another waste of the taxpayers money. Also more fake news from the media.