Crews continue emergency stabilization work in San Clemente with goal of resuming passenger rail service as soon as Monday
ORANGE – The coastal rail line through San Clemente will remain closed to passenger service through the weekend as crews continue repairs and stabilization work following severe waves and high tides that damaged the coastal slope near the tracks earlier this week.
Crews continue to closely monitor conditions and perform stabilization work when conditions allow. The passenger rail closure will continue into a previously scheduled Absolute Work Window beginning late Friday and lasting through Sunday, providing additional time for crews to work along the corridor.
The goal is to continue monitoring and stabilization work through the weekend and reopen the tracks through San Clemente for passenger service as soon as Monday morning, potentially under speed restrictions, provided conditions remain safe for rail operations.
Passengers are encouraged to check MetrolinkTrains.com and PacificSurfliner.com/Alerts for the latest service information before traveling and for updates about potential service updates for Monday.
Some freight rail traffic has already resumed. Two northbound freight trains safely traveled through the affected area on Thursday night under speed restrictions, and three additional southbound freight trains are planned to operate through the area Friday. The track has remained stable.
OCTA and its partners are also closely monitoring Tropical Storm Norbert in the Pacific. While Norbert is not currently expected to generate significant additional wave activity along the Orange County coast, crews will continue monitoring swell, tides and coastal conditions throughout the weekend.
Safety of rail passengers and crews remains the highest priority, and the tracks will reopen to passenger service only when conditions are determined to be safe for rail operations.
The coastal rail line through San Clemente is part of the 351-mile Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor. OCTA owns the rail right of way in Orange County and continues working with Metrolink, LOSSAN, state and federal partners and the City of San Clemente on efforts to protect the rail line and maintain safe and reliable passenger and freight service.
