In 2017, the City of Encinitas partnered with SANDAG and NCTD to construct a new undercrossing near El Portal Street to provide a safe and legal crossing for pedestrians and bicyclists. The El Portal crossing will create a new rail bridge and pedestrian undercrossing between Highway 101 and Vulcan Avenue, east of El Portal Street in the Leucadia area. 

The El Portal undercrossing will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and will provide safe connections for pedestrians and bicyclists. The project was planned in conjunction with the City of Encinitas’ streetscape project and includes new landscaping upon completion. Following construction, access to beaches, schools, businesses, and residential neighborhoods across the coastal rail line will be improved.

Construction began in December 2020 and is expected to be complete in summer 2022. 

To sign up for updates, visit KeepSanDiegoMoving.com/Contact.

SANDAG and the City of Encinitas held a virtual community open house about the El Portal Undercrossing project on November 17, 2020, from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Participants had an opportunity to view project renderings, learn about construction timelines and impacts, and ask questions during the meeting. The El Portal Undercrossing project is planned in coordination with the City of Encinitas’ Leucadia Streetscape project because of the two project’s close proximity on Highway 101. Staff from both projects were available to provide information and answer questions.

On Tuesday, December 8, 2020, the project team presented to the Paul Ecke Elementary School PTA. See the video for information.