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SPRINTER Construction News


SPRINTER Project Reaches Another Milestone

Full Testing of New Diesel Multiple Units to Begin Next Week

January 19, 2007

ESCONDIDO, SAN MARCOS, Calif. – After arrival to the NCTD vehicle maintenance facility of all 12 vehicles of the fleet, the new SPRINTER vehicles are ready to be fully tested. NCTD, Siemens, and Veolia Transportation, the operations contractor, will begin full testing of the new diesel multiple units next week. The testing will occur on various days from Monday through Friday primarily between the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until revenue service begins. A crew will run a single train with one or more cars from the start of the track in Escondido to east of Woodland Parkway in San Marcos, possibly extending to the San Marcos Civic Center. The vehicles will pass through each crossing along this route, and normal crossing gate operation will occur.

This testing work will help break vehicles in as early as possible. A minimum number of hours of operation and miles traveled are contractually required, with specific tests done on acceleration, braking, passenger doors, air-conditioning, interior lights, engine operation, overall ride quality and other systems. The modern, efficient design of the DMUs is new to Southern California, and will provide swift and sure service with minimal community noise impacts.

Current road closures and detours can be seen on the SPRINTER Construction Updates Web page.

The SPRINTER is a new passenger rail system that will extend 22 miles along the Highway 78 corridor, spanning the cities of Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos and Escondido. A total of 15 stations will be constructed with parking, access to other NCTD public transportation and passenger amenities. The total project budget of $440 million includes right-of-way acquisition, engineering, design, construction, vehicles, the 1.7 mile loop to serve Cal State San Marcos, vehicle maintenance facility, contingency and finance costs. The anticipated start date for SPRINTER passenger service is December 2007.

For more information call the project information line at 760-599-8332.