In yet another step forward, North County Transit District officially announced a “notice to proceed,” which gives a green light to begin construction on the 22-mile light rail SPRINTER line that will run in the Escondido-Oceanside corridor.

In July, the NCTD board approved award of the contract to West Coast Rail Constructors, made up of FCI Constructors, Inc., a Vista based company and Fluor Corporation, one of the world's largest, publicly owned engineering, procurement, construction, and maintenance services organizations.

The notice to proceed legally kicks-off the $187 million portion of mainline reconstruction, which includes building 14 stations as well. Soil samples and engineering surveys of the railway have already begun and steel rail for the tracks should arrive in October. Construction crews are working to get as much completed as possible during a September – March window, designed to avoid the mating season of certain coastal birds in the area.

The SPRINTER is a new passenger rail system that will extend 22 miles along the North County Highway 78 corridor, spanning the cities of Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos and Escondido. A total of fifteen stations will be constructed with parking, intermodal access, and passenger platforms. The current budget of $375.5 million includes right-of-way acquisition, engineering, design, construction, vehicles, and a 1.7 mile loop to serve the California State University, San Marcos campus. The anticipated start date for SPRINTER passenger service is December, 2007. A formal ground breaking was held in October.