Thursday, January 19, 2012

$5 million dollar tunnel at Swami's is go

North County Times story: Long-awaited pedestrian rail crossing ready to break ground

This would have been a lot less money:

12 comments:

  1. Yes, but every train (56 per day right now) will need to blast their horns every time they cross per federal regulations. Not worth 5 million? Just look to see how much the City of San Diego is spending on its downtown train noise abatement project. Plus the cost of all those pesky inverse condemnation lawsuits from every adjacent homeowner would cost a pretty penny as well. Just sayin'.

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  2. Why isn't all of Encinitas a quiet zone like all of Orange County will be in the next few years. What is wrong with NCTD? Who leads that retarded organization and why do we still have it when we have SANDAG? Who is representing our interests on this issue?

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  3. Who came up with the tunnel idea anyway? Maybe they thought Encinitas residents are too stupid to obey warning lights and barrier arms?
    People will continue to cross the tracks; if they have to walk more than 50 feet, they will not use this tunnel. Sounds like it is a sweetheart deal for some contractor, as the less expensive alternative makes more sense.

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  4. I agree with Alfred. Why do we have these train horns anyway? LA and Orange County don't have train horns because they implemented Quiet Zones. Why hasn't Encinitas done the same. Why are we always so far behind the curve?

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  5. Part of the goodies we get for backing off on double tracking.

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  6. Orange county doesn't have double tracking. Thats no excuse.

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  7. Orange county has double tracking, except San Clemente, through to Fullerton. At that point it is up to four tracks to LA Union Station. And they use the horns. Hop on Amtrak and sit in the forward car to hear for yourself. Alfred, quiet zones cost a LOT of money. I do agree people between Santa Fe and E Street will still cross the teaks illegally.

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  8. Corrected- I see OC just finished quiet zones. Cost 85 million.

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  9. I'm all for at-grade crossings but I have to admit the planned design is winning me over: http://thecoastnews.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/2/files/2012/01/IMGP9227-e1326994996212.jpg (compare to http://g.co/maps/3rhc9)

    The location will be major access point so any established crossing should be safe and inviting. The concept accomplishes both, eliminates the need to wait for or even think about trains, and keeps Swamis free from noisy crossing bells. The tracks are raised higher than 101 so a tunnel (really more of an underpass or bridge here) seems appropriate. No doubt it will encourage pedestrian travel and also define the southern end of downtown Encinitas. Hopefully it will also encourage some pedestrian-friendly infrastructure on the east side of 101, up toward Hansens. The question though is does the $5m solution make sense at every location? Supposing it does, are there cheaper ways to accomplish the same goal?

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  10. The bums will shit in it and it will be a place for the trolls to hang out. I hope the kids don't get snagged by the underworld elements at night underground. Bury the Tracks, Not People.

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