Passenger rail service through San Clemente has been suspended temporarily to allow crews to safely conduct emergency construction aimed at stabilizing sections of track at immediate risk from landslides and coastal erosion.
OCTA, in coordination with Metrolink and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, is taking action to protect the only coastal rail link between San Diego and Orange counties, following continued threats from the privately owned bluffs and from coastal erosion and storm surges.
The emergency work is focused on priority areas in San Clemente along the Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor (LOSSAN), identified through engineering analysis where recent landslides have already caused significant damage.
Beginning Monday, April 28, passenger rail was suspended for approximately six weeks while crews work to repair and reinforce the most vulnerable segments of the track. The closure affects both Metrolink’s Orange County and Inland Empire-Orange County lines, as well as Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner trains through the area.
During the construction work, Metrolink will continue to operate trains traveling southbound to as far as the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo station on weekdays and the San Juan Capistrano station on Saturdays and Sundays.
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner will continue to operate modified service between San Luis Obispo and San Juan Capistrano, as well as between Oceanside and Downtown San Diego. Bus connections will be provided between Irvine and Oceanside.
“This temporary closure allows our teams to safely carry out urgent reinforcement work to protect rail passengers, freight operations and public safety,” said OCTA & Metrolink Chair Doug Chaffee, also Orange County’s Fourth District Supervisor. “While we recognize the inconvenience, this action is necessary to preserve the long-term integrity of this vital rail link.”
The closure will allow OCTA to begin work under a partial emergency Coastal Development Permit granted by the California Coastal Commission that allows for riprap repair and sand placement north of Mariposa Point and removal of the remaining pedestrian bridge at Mariposa Point, which was damaged in a landslide last year that shuttered the rail line.
Work is moving forward under emergency authorization, following prompt action by the California Transportation Commission and issuance of the partial Emergency Coastal Development Permit from the California Coastal Commission. A full Coastal Commission hearing on additional work areas is expected in early May, with continued coordination to address the most urgent threats identified.
For the latest updates and information, visit here.