Passenger rail service through San Clemente, a major transportation hub along the Southern California coast, will be suspended for six weeks starting Monday because of landslide threats and coastal erosion that has endangered the tracks in the area. The temporary pause will allow emergency crews to address critical infrastructure issues in the area.
Critical Work Begins to Re-Stabilize Rail Service
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has begun critical stabilization efforts to ensure the long-term safety of the rail corridor. Crews will install 8.150 tons of rock fill material and deposit approximately 540.000 cubic yards of sand to reinforce the shoreline and reduce erosion. Additionally, a 1.400-foot debris containment wall will be constructed and a damaged pedestrian bridge will be removed to prevent future outages. Coastal access will be restored as soon as possible to ensure continued community connectivity.
During this mandatory suspension, Metrolink will continue to operate as far as Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo on weekdays and as far as San Juan Capistrano on weekends, while Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner trains will operate via bus connections between Irvine and Oceanside to minimize the disruption to passengers during this time out.
Aiming for Railway Stability with Long-Term Solutions
The San Clemente area has recently faced frequent rail service disruptions due to natural events such as landslides and coastal erosion. In particular, a pedestrian bridge collapse in January 2024 caused a complete halt to rail operations. Authorities blame these recurring problems on the effects of climate change and the region’s inadequate preventative measures.
OCTA’s Coastal Rail Resiliency Study identified four critical areas that require immediate action to ensure uninterrupted and reliable rail service. These urgent projects are being advanced independently of the larger study, with construction expected to begin this month. Each project will follow a different timeline based on its unique complexity and available resources.
By implementing these comprehensive measures, officials aim to ensure the long-term security of the region’s rail infrastructure and minimize future disruptions to ensure reliable transportation for residents and visitors along the Southern California coast. With the completion of these efforts, rail service in the region is expected to become more stable and reliable.
