This Weekend's Coastal Rail Closure: What You Need to Know

OCEANSIDE, CA — The San Diego coastal rail corridor will experience a closure this weekend, Sept. 10-11, to allow for construction and maintenance of the railway. The closure will begin at midnight Friday and run until shortly before normal passenger service on Monday morning, Sept. 12.

During this closure along the coastal corridor, no passenger rail service will be available. However, other vehicles and equipment will operate along the railroad right-of-way and on the rail at non-specified times, the North County Transit District said Friday.

"Residents along the corridor should remain alert at legal crossings, and not trespass on the railroad right-of-way," said NCTD Spokeswoman Kimy Wall. "This weekend’s closure for passenger rail service does not change NCTD’s obligation under state and federal law to maintain the safety and security of the railroad right-of-way. Any individuals or groups who trespass on the right-of-way (including crossing the tracks illegally, walking along or near the tracks, or being on NCTD property) will be subject to arrest, citation, and/or removal from the property."

Protecting the right-of-way is necessary for the safety of the public and the railroad, according to NCTD, which encourages all residents and visitors to help in these efforts by crossing the tracks at legal crossings and by staying off of the right-of-way.

"September is Rail Safety Month, and a great time to learn about being safe around the railways," Wall said.

More information on rail safety is available from Operation Life Saver and the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration.