The COASTER commuter rail line will shut down Saturday, Sept. 12, and Sunday, Sept. 13, leaving Del Mar and Solana Beach riders without train service for the weekend.

The North County Transit District (NCTD) announced Tuesday, Sept. 1, that all COASTER service between San Diego and Oceanside will be suspended for routine railroad maintenance and major infrastructure work. Regular service is scheduled to resume Monday, Sept. 14.

NCTD did not specify what infrastructure projects crews will tackle during the shutdown. The agency also did not announce any replacement bus service or alternative transportation for riders.

Construction equipment will be active on the tracks

No passenger or freight trains will run during the closure. But NCTD said test trains, construction vehicles and equipment will be active along the railroad right-of-way and on the tracks throughout the weekend.

The agency urged residents who live near the corridor to stay alert. NCTD reminded the public to cross the rail line only at lawfully designated crossings, even while regular train service is paused.

That safety warning applies to every crossing point between San Diego and Oceanside, including stops in Del Mar and Solana Beach where pedestrians routinely cross the tracks to reach the beach.

Part of a recurring maintenance schedule

NCTD said weekend closures happen periodically on a pre-determined schedule so construction crews can work safely on and along the rail line. The closures allow crews to complete preventative maintenance and advance major railroad construction projects, according to the agency.

The September shutdown is the third such weekend closure this year. NCTD also suspended service March 7–8 and May 16–17 for similar maintenance windows, according to transit district records.

The announcement was authored by NCTD's Briana Osuna. No on-record statement from agency leadership accompanied the release.

Riders who need to plan around the closure can visit GoNCTD.com/Alerts for updates or call NCTD at (760) 966-6500.