Key transit-rail projects conclude in California

The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) announced the completion of a double-track segment and quite zone-related grade crossing improvements in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, a coastal community located within the city of Encinitas, California.
 
The finished work marked milestones for the $79 million San Elijo Lagoon double-track project, a collaborative effort between SANDAG, the North County Transit District, California Department of Transportation and Federal Transit Administration to construct a second track between Encinitas and Solana Beach. To be completed in spring, the project will enable passenger and freight trains to operate more efficiently by eliminating the need for meeting or passing trains to take turns using a single track, SANDAG officials said in a press release.

The project, which began in early 2017, involved adding 1.5 miles of second main track from Cardiff-by-the-Sea to the southern border of the San Elijo Lagoon. The new segment creates more than 4 miles of continuous double track in the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) coastal rail corridor, which now features 39 miles of double track, SANDAG officials said.
 
The crossing improvements included new traffic signals and crossing equipment on Chesterfield Drive, as well as upgrades to warning systems, crossing signals and gates, and additional safety signage. The work will accommodate Encinitas officials' efforts to establish a quiet zone for Cardiff-by-the-Sea, SANDAG officials said.

Meanwhile, Caltrain has completed a $3.5 million grade crossing improvement project ahead of schedule, the agency announced late last week.

The effort to upgrade 15 crossings between San Francisco and San Jose, California, began in June 2018 and was expected to conclude in March 2019, Caltrain officials said in a press release. The project included installing street medians and signage, improving sidewalks and painting work.

The project was partially funded by $1 million from the Federal Railroad Administration and $377,000 from the state.