On July 15, the Board of Directors of the North San Diego County Transit District (NCTD) awarded the SPRINTER mainline and station construction contract to West Coast Rail Constructors. The firm, which submitted a final bid of $187,185,782.86, is a joint venture between FCI Constructors, located in Vista and Fluor Enterprises, based in Orange County. The scope of the contract includes the reconstruction of approximately 22 miles of railroad in the existing east-west rail corridor owned by NCTD. As part of the package, 14 stations will be constructed along with the Inland Rail Trail.

The current budget of $375.5 million includes right-of-way acquisition, engineering, design, construction, vehicles, and a 1.7 mile section of new right of way to serve the California State University, San Marcos campus. The anticipated start date for SPRINTER passenger service is December 31, 2007. To stay up to speed with the Sprinter, please visit www.gonctd.com.

NCTD is a frequent collaborator with SANDAG, from which it receives allocated funding. A representative from the NCTD Board, Chairwoman Judy Ritter, serves as an advisory member of SANDAGs Board of Directors.