ENCINITAS — The Encinitas City Council struck down a proposal from the San Diego Association of Governments on Dec. 10 to utilize the city-owned open space at Surfer’s Point as a construction access point for a railroad double-tracking project across Batiquitos Lagoon.
The council’s discussion focused heavily on SANDAG’s request, including installing a permanent access road through the blufftop property for the Batiquitos Lagoon Double Tracking Project.
Deputy Mayor Joy Lyndes expressed strong opposition, citing concerns about preserving sensitive habitat and long-term land use on the recently purchased plot.
“We spent $6 million on this property,” Lyndes said. “And the very first thing we would do with it is obligate it for four years for impacts during construction, but then also permanently bisect it for another use that doesn’t benefit the city?”
In August, the City Council unanimously approved the acquisition of two parcels located at the northeast corner of Coast Highway 101 and La Costa Avenue in Leucadia, known as Surfer’s Point or Hippie Hill, for $6.3 million.
City leaders emphasized the significance of acquiring Surfer’s Point as a lasting investment in community heritage and a step toward meeting goals of maintaining open space and fostering public enjoyment of the area for future generations.
On Tuesday, other council members and public speakers echoed concerns about the proposal’s impact on habitat restoration, public access to the open space, and potential noise and traffic disruptions.
The $166 million double-tracking project, part of SANDAG’s broader effort to improve the 60-mile North Coast Corridor (NCC), involves replacing a 1946 single-track wooden trestle bridge with a modern double-track concrete bridge. The double tracking will enable northbound and southbound trains to pass simultaneously and passenger trains to pass slower freight trains on the second track.
The upgrade aims to enhance rail efficiency, reduce traffic congestion and restore habitats along the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) rail corridor.
The project, which began in August 2024 and is expected to conclude in 2028, includes significant environmental mitigation efforts, such as restoring a least tern nesting site and replenishing Ponto Beach with up to 50,000 cubic yards of beach-quality sand.
However, construction is limited during the bird nesting season, from April 15 to Aug. 31, a restriction doubling the project timeline from two to four years.
To expedite construction and minimize local traffic disruptions, SANDAG proposed using La Costa Avenue and Carlsbad Boulevard for construction access. The North County Transit District also requested a permanent access easement across the city-owned Surfer’s Point property to facilitate long-term maintenance.
The council voted 4-0 to deny the permanent access request but approved extended work hours to help SANDAG meet project deadlines. Construction will now be allowed from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays, with noise restrictions in place during the early morning hours.
David Cortez, SANDAG’s director of engineering and construction, acknowledged the challenges posed by the construction and committed to minimizing impacts.
“We’ll work with the city to be good neighbors,” Cortez said.
