CARLSBAD — The City Council unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday with the San Diego Association of Governments and North County Transit District to advance the project to 30% design and environmental review to trench the railroad tracks in Carlsbad Village.
The city agreed to reimburse SANDAG for eligible project costs up to $5.22 million over three fiscal years, with annual payments capped at $1.74 million. SANDAG is contributing $20.8 million for the next phase, plus $1 million from the federal Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill, which will cover the remaining costs.
A 2020 alternative analysis by SANDAG and the city identified the long trench as the highest-scoring option among the trench alternatives studied. The project covers a 1.1-mile stretch from the Buena Vista Lagoon in south Oceanside, through Carlsbad Village Station, south past Tamarack Avenue, and ending before Agua Hedionda Lagoon.
