Coastal Rail Service Suspended For Two Weekends In January

OCEANSIDE, CA — North County Transit District announced Tuesday that all coastal rail service between San Diego and Oceanside will be suspended for two weekends this month for routine railroad maintenance and major infrastructure work.

The first closure will take place this Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 10-11, and the second closure will take place Jan. 24-25.

"Weekend closures occur periodically throughout the year on a pre-determined schedule to provide construction crews the opportunity to work safely on and along the rail line to complete preventative maintenance improvements and advance major railroad construction projects," the district said in a statement.

NCTD and its project partners will use the closures to advance "critical projects" for the region, including the Del Mar Bluffs Stabilization Phase 5 project and Batiquitos Lagoon Double Track project in Carlsbad, according to the district. Track maintenance will also be performed this weekend at Leucadia Boulevard.

No passenger or freight trains will operate during the closure, but test trains, construction vehicles and equipment will be active throughout the weekend. Officials advised residents to remain alert along the corridor and to only cross the rail line at designated rail crossings.