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Carlsbad council OKs MOU to pursue grants for Village rail trench, pledges up to $5.22 million
Summary
The City Council unanimously authorized a memorandum of understanding with SANDAG and NCTD to pursue state and federal grant funding for preliminary design and technical studies to lower tracks in Carlsbad Village; SANDAG estimates preliminary work at about $26.1 million and the city committed up to $5.22 million as local match.
Carlsbad’s City Council voted unanimously on June 26 to authorize a memorandum of understanding with the San Diego Association of Governments and the North County Transit District to pursue state and federal grant funding for preliminary engineering and environmental work to lower the railroad through Carlsbad Village.
City staff told the council that SANDAG has estimated the cost to complete preliminary engineering, technical studies and environmental clearance at roughly $26.1 million. The proposed MOU makes SANDAG the lead on preparing and submitting grant applications and documents the city’s commitment to provide up to $5,220,000 as a local match if grants are awarded.
Tom Frank, Carlsbad’s transportation director and city engineer, told the council the approved study envisions trenching through the village and includes a grade separation at Tamarack Avenue. “The approved study, which we are pursuing with this partnership, would underground, and have a grade separation at Tamarack Avenue,” Frank said.
Members of the public urged the council to move forward. Laurie Robbins, who earlier commented on development safety and traffic concerns for a separate project, told the council she supports advancing trench planning so the city can pursue funding and design solutions.
The staff report said the city has appropriated the local match in general-fund reserves and that the city would retain control of those funds until they are required for the project. The city attorney’s office advised council that Proposition H — a voter-approval requirement for certain real-property expenditures — did not apply to the agreement as it does not involve acquisition or city ownership of the railroad tracks.
Council members praised the interagency partnership and emphasized the need for continued public outreach and careful cost estimates. The council then adopted the resolution authorizing the city manager to execute the MOU.
Next steps outlined by staff include working with SANDAG and NCTD on grant applications and advancing preliminary design and technical studies if funding is secured.
