Emergency Suspension of Passenger Rail Service in San Clemente
Starting Monday, passenger rail services in San Clemente will be halted for six weeks as emergency repairs are initiated to stabilize tracks threatened by landslides and coastal erosion. This suspension will impact both Metrolink and Amtrak services utilizing the LOSSAN rail corridor connecting Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Luis Obispo.
Reason for Service Interruption
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is spearheading the emergency repair efforts aimed at reinforcing sections of the rail infrastructure categorized as “high risk,” particularly near Mariposa Point, which has previously suffered from landslides.
Details of the Emergency Work
The planned construction involves several critical actions:
- Placement of 8,150 tons of riprap and up to 540,000 cubic yards of sand for bluff stabilization and beach restoration.
- Construction of a 1,400-foot debris catchment wall to capture landslide risk materials.
- Removal of a compromised pedestrian bridge affecting rail safety.
- Reinstating access to coastal trails.
Continued Service Alternatives
Despite the suspension affecting specific routes, Metrolink will maintain weekday services to Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and weekend services to San Juan Capistrano. Updates regarding Metrolink services are available on their official website.
Amtrak is implementing modified Pacific Surfliner services with bus connections provided between Irvine and Oceanside. Passengers can find Amtrak service alerts on their site.
Background and Context
San Clemente has recently faced numerous challenges related to landslides and coastal erosion. In January 2024, a significant incident resulted in all rail services, both passenger and freight, being suspended when a pedestrian bridge collapsed onto the tracks. While freight trains were later permitted to operate during overnight hours, passenger services remained disrupted for additional days.
Local leaders, including members of the OCTA board, have attributed the ongoing risks to climate change and a lack of proactive measures to protect the corridor from natural disasters.
Future Plans and Ongoing Assessments
The OCTA has conducted a Coastal Rail Resiliency Study that underscores the necessity for immediate actions at four critical areas to ensure passenger and freight rail safety. These emergency initiatives are set to progress independently of the broader study, with construction expected to commence as early as April.
Each repair project will be timed according to its complexity and the availability of contractors and materials. For the latest updates on these emergency actions, visit OCTA Rail Emergency.
