First, not only are new trestles not needed before the Permanent stop goes in – as the NCTD is about to spend $3.5 strengthening the existing one – but if you move the first phase (600 foot phase) about 150 feet further north (right behind the Scream Zone Tent) that would provide enough room for any new western rail to transition back into the current main line and continue to use that refurbished trestle…probably for the next 20 years..

It also provides enough room to the south so that WHENEVER they decide on WHAT route the south of the river rails should take, and they are ready to THEN build new trestles – there would be enough room south of the Permanent installation installed now – to accommodate whatever height and angle the then new trestles would require – as EACH OF THE THREE (3) COMPETING SOUTH-OF-THE-RIVER ROUTES requires a trestle built at a different height and angle.

As to the issue of installing the first phase of the Permanent track NOW on just the existing rail – the need for extended "dwell time" issue is just a myth…The trains serving Anaheim stadium don’t have extended dwell times – neither do any trains on any "system" in Europe or elsewhere in the world.

The problem is Tucker has no experience here – He is thinking a single train like they have serving late night games at Petco Park – where if you miss it you are stuck downtown. The proposed Coaster schedule will soon produce a train every hour. The train pulls in…the train stops….the people get on….and those who did not make it to the platform in time catch the next one. Note Downtown Carlsbad, Downtown Encinitas, even the old Downtown Del Mar train stops all have only one rail…

And since both the Amtrak and Coaster will each stop at the races. nothing passes anything. This "it’s like putting a stoplight in the middle of a freeway" while colorful words, on Tucker’s part, are just not true.

The real reason they are pushing the "temporary" stop is so they (The fair staff and Hilliard) can get the "successful bidder" for the racing contract off the hook to fund it. WE did get "words" which would, in effect, require the race operator to fund the "Permanent" stop into the RFP. That’s “insider – dealings” and someone in authority should look into that!!!

Helen and Richard Savvy Seniors, Frugal and Active.