May 22nd 2020 | Posted in Transportation by Government Contracting Pipeline

California – Caltrans released a feasibility study on May 14 that focused on a double-track railroad tunnel through Miramar Hill and a multimodal transit station at the University Town Center (UTC) area of San Diego.
The study results showed that the new route would reduce vehicle traffic, shorten rail travel times, and decrease greenhouse emissions.

Area of Caltrans rail tunnel feasibility study

As part of a settlement with the Cleveland National Forest Foundation that resulted from Caltrans’ unsuccessful plans to widen Interstate 5, the state’s transportation department conducted the feasibility study that focused on the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) corridor.

Caltrans estimates the tunnel and UTC station alignment will cost $435.5 million to build.
Both Amtrak and Coaster trains would use the tunnel to shorten travel times by an estimated 6 to 7 minutes by avoiding a lengthy stretch through Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) will use the study’s findings to plan rail service from the Orange County line to Santa Fe station in downtown San Diego.