The North County Transit District (NCTD) was awarded $627,000 by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Climate Adaptation Planning - Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program. This grant will go towards the agency's Resilient NCTD study to further climate adaptation planning and ensuring the resiliency of all transit infrastructure across its 1,020-square-mile service area.
The purpose of the climate vulnerability and needs assessment is to identify and assess climate change risks and potential strategies for NCTD rail and bus infrastructure, facilities, and surrounding communities. The study will evaluate the conditions of NCTD’s service area and industry best practices and provide detailed recommendations, capital and financial plans, and an implementation strategy, along with a robust outreach effort.
“NCTD’s service area spans urban, suburban, coastal, and rural communities, each facing unique challenges related to changing climates,” said NCTD Board Chair Jewel Edson. “It is critical that NCTD protect our region’s transportation infrastructure to ensure access to essential public transit services now and into the future.”
This funding will allow NCTD to build upon existing efforts to mitigate the impacts of sea level rise and extreme weather conditions. On the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor, NCTD and its project partners are advancing near- and long-term projects to address coastal erosion in Del Mar, including through the slate of Del Mar Bluffs stabilization projects. Additionally, the San Dieguito Double Track Phase 2 project will replace and raise the elevation of a 107-year-old wooden rail bridge to prevent the risk of flooding and ensure the long-term resiliency of the corridor. NCTD is also initiating a project to install shelters and other shade infrastructure at bus stops to shield riders from excessive heat.
