Federal grant targets bottleneck at San Luis Rey River
The Federal Railroad Administration has allocated up to $124 million to support a major rail improvement project that will replace a single-track bridge over the San Luis Rey River and add a section of second track in northern Oceanside and southern Camp Pendleton. The work, led by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), aims to expand double-track capacity and reduce a persistent rail bottleneck along the North County corridor.
The funds will be used to construct a double-tracked bridge to take the place of the existing single-track span and to install roughly one mile of additional track from the Oceanside Harbor to Pier View Way. That new segment will tie together two existing double-track stretches, creating a continuous corridor of 10.3 miles of double-track through portions of Camp Pendleton and Oceanside.
What the project includes
- Replacement of the single-track bridge across the San Luis Rey River with a double-tracked span.
- Construction of about one mile of second track between Oceanside Harbor and Pier View Way.
- Installation of two track crossovers between Surfrider Way and Pier View Way to allow trains to change tracks approaching or departing Oceanside Transit Center.
SANDAG is the designated lead agency for the work, while the tracks themselves are owned and operated by the North County Transit District. The corridor work is being referred to as the Eastbrook to Shell double-track project, referencing the two control points—Eastbrook and Shell—used by dispatchers to manage signals and switches.
“We will also install two track crossovers along the existing railroad tracks between Surfrider Way and Pier View Way to allow trains to cross from one track to the other as they approach or leave Oceanside Transit Center,”
The federal contribution builds on other recent state investments in regional rail. In July, the California Transportation Commission allocated $214.3 million to SANDAG for the San Dieguito double-track project, which will include additional track segments, pedestrian undercrossings and a replacement bridge across the San Dieguito River, plus a special-events train stop at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
Local and regional impacts
Rail advocates say continuous double-track allows trains to pass one another without waiting for long single-track stretches to clear, improving on-time performance, reliability and overall capacity for both passenger and freight operations. Roughly three-quarters of the 60-mile corridor between downtown San Diego and the Orange County border is already double-tracked; the Eastbrook to Shell project fills a key remaining gap in North County.
For Oceanside riders and regional commuters, the project could translate into fewer delays and more dependable schedules for Coaster and other services that share the corridor. The installation of crossovers near the Oceanside Transit Center is also aimed at better managing train movements as they enter and exit the city hub.
Federal officials additionally announced up to $33.6 million for rail improvements in Encinitas, including new vehicle and pedestrian gates at multiple crossings and construction of pedestrian and bicycle at-grade crossings and an undercrossing for pedestrians. Together, these investments are part of a broader push to modernize rail infrastructure across North County.
| Item | Amount / Length |
|---|---|
| Federal grant to Eastbrook–Shell project | $124 million |
| New continuous double-track created | 10.3 miles |
| Additional second track length (Oceanside Harbor to Pier View Way) | ≈1 mile |
| State allocation for San Dieguito project | $214.3 million |
Project scheduling, construction staging and precise timelines have not been released by SANDAG in the announcement accompanying the federal allocation. The Eastbrook to Shell naming reflects dispatch control locations rather than new stations. Any construction at or near the Oceanside Transit Center or existing grade crossings will involve coordination among SANDAG, the North County Transit District and local jurisdictions to limit disruption to commuters and local traffic.
As Oceanside continues to grow and regional transit demand rises, officials say targeted investments like the Eastbrook to Shell double-track project are intended to increase rail capacity and improve the reliability that riders expect. Residents can look to SANDAG for updates as project design advances and construction schedules are established.
