STILL WAITING: Cars driving over the worn and bumpy railroad crossing on Bay Marina Drive in National City aren't the only things moving slowly.
So are plans for the repairs. But, most important, the plans are moving forward.
THE SITE: Bay Marina Drive near Marina Way in National City.
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As Just Fix It first wrote in February, repairing deteriorating wood and asphalt around the tracks is the responsibility of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. BNSF said that it would fix only the area within 2 feet of the tracks and that the city of National City was responsible for repairing anything beyond that. After some negotiations, National City and the San Diego Unified Port District agreed to take on some of the $90,000 repair bill. The port was asked to help because many big-rig trucks headed for facilities on port property drive over the tracks.
When we last wrote about the crossing in late May, BNSF said it hoped to start repair work by the end of June. But progress slowed.
National City asked the railroad for diagrams of its planned work. BNSF said it normally does not have to provide drawings. National City offered to help with them. When it became clear that a sidewalk near the crossing would have to be brought up to Americans with Disabilities standards, the city said it would take care of the $3,000 cost, said National City's city engineer Maryam Babaki.
There are still three barriers to completion. Attorneys for the Port District are looking over the agreement between it, the city and the railway. The contractor that will complete the work needs to get a business license from the city, and BNSF is awaiting permission from Caltrans to place temporary traffic control signs in its right of way, said Lena Kent, a spokeswoman for the railroad. That could take a month. To be sure, the devil is in the details.
Just Fix It periodically gets calls from people who drive over the tracks on their way to work, asking when the work will be done. At this point, we won't venture a guess. We are cautiously optimistic the work, which will take about five days, will begin sooner rather than later.
WHO'S RESPONSIBLE: Melvin Thomas, manager of public projects for the railway, who can be reached at (909) 386-4472 or melvin.thomas@bnsf.com.
NEED A PROBLEM SOLVED: Is there a problem government hasn't fixed despite your complaints? Whether it's a missing bus bench or an unkempt park anywhere in San Diego County, Just Fix It might be able to help.
Complaint forms are at justfixit.uniontrib.com, or call (800) 820-8714.
