Camp Pendleton Train Station Resurfaces in San Diego’s 2025 Regional Transit Plan

A potential Coaster train stop at Camp Pendleton is back on the table, as regional planners consider future transportation enhancements throughout San Diego County.

This summer, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) unveiled its draft 2025 Regional Plan, which includes ambitious long-range objectives such as extending the Coaster commuter rail line beyond its current endpoint at Oceanside Transit Center. Camp Pendleton, recognized as the most extensive base for the U.S. Marine Corps on the West Coast, is set to be the location for the proposed platform.

The plan, while still in the conceptual stage, indicates a revived focus on a station that has been a topic of conversation for years without coming to fruition. SANDAG’s regional transportation plans serve as comprehensive 20-year frameworks that detail objectives, infrastructure initiatives, and policy focuses. The agency's board is set to finalize the 2025 plan in December.

The North County Transit District, responsible for the Coaster, has previously considered this idea. The board has approved up to $334,000 for preliminary planning and feasibility work in 2011. Nonetheless, advancements have come to a standstill primarily due to ongoing logistical and jurisdictional challenges, particularly concerning security issues at the military installation.

Positioned advantageously between San Diego and Orange County, Camp Pendleton presents a sensible opportunity for improved rail connectivity. A train station has the potential to accommodate both military personnel and civilian commuters traveling through the corridor, while also contributing to the reduction of traffic congestion along Interstate 5.

The updated regional plan lacks a specific timeline or funding details for the project, yet it injects energy into a proposal that has been inactive for quite some time.

SANDAG officials highlighted the importance of gathering input from the community and stakeholders, including the U.S. Marine Corps, before proceeding with any formal development plans.

The regional agency is set to refresh its transportation vision every five years, and the addition of the Camp Pendleton stop underscores a revitalized emphasis on significant, forward-thinking initiatives. The plan highlights the increasing demand for transit-focused solutions to enhance mobility throughout the Southern California region.

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