The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), in coordination with Metrolink, is replacing the railroad bridge over San Juan Creek. Built in 1917, the bridge has reached the end of its useful life and will be replaced by a new three-span girder bridge.
The San Juan Creek Bridge Replacement Project is replacing the railroad bridge over San Juan Creek in the City of San Juan Capistrano.
The project is constructing a new three-span girder bridge west of the existing bridge. The new bridge will enhance safety, reduce maintenance needs, and meet current design and bridge load standards. The existing bridge will be demolished, and a new foundation and substructure will be installed for a potential future bridge. There are no plans to construct a second bridge but if a need arises, the supporting infrastructure will be in place.
The bridge serves Metrolink and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner passenger trains, as well as freight trains.
What: The daytime closure of the San Juan Creek Trail between Camino Capistrano and Trabuco Creek is underway. The closure allows crews to safely stage equipment and materials, while placing rock slope protection along the embankment from outside the San Juan Creek.
Trail users are being detoured to Camino Capistrano, Del Obispo Street and the Trabuco Creek Trail. Bicyclists are encouraged to walk their bikes on Del Obispo. Detour signs will be installed prior to the closure.
When: This closure is anticipated to continue through Thursday, Oct. 8, Monday to Friday, between 6:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The trail is expected to reopen at the end of each workday and remain open on weekends.
The schedule is subject to change due to inclement weather or unforeseen operational issues.
Construction continues outside San Juan Creek as crews advance slope paving, rock slope protection, drainage improvements and ongoing sheet pile installation.
Beginning as early as 10:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2 to 5 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 3, crews are expected to mobilize construction equipment across the tracks. This nighttime work is necessary for crews to safely move the equipment while minimizing impacts to passenger rail service.
Sheet pile installation along the top of the creek embankment is expected to continue intermittently through early 2027. Work hours are Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Construction vehicles may continue to access the work area via Camino Capistrano and exit via Stonehill Drive. Water trucks will remain in use along the route to help minimize dust.
This work may be loud. The surrounding community may experience intermittently construction noise and vibration during sheet pile installation. The schedule is subject to change due to inclement weather or unforeseen operational issues.
Aerial view of sheet pile installation progress – October 2026
Crews pouring concrete along San Juan Creek embankment – September 2026
Aerial view of bridge construction – September 2026
Aerial view of bridge construction and project progress – September 2026
Crews working along San Juan Creek embankment – September 2026
Crews installing sheet piles – September 2026
Crews installing concrete slope protection – September 2026
Bridge foundation construction – August 2026
Sheet pile installation in San Juan Creek – August 2026
Crews performing concrete slope paving activities – August 2026
Sheet pile installation progress in San Juan Creek – August 2026
Concrete pour activities – August 2026
Sheet pile installation in San Juan Creek – August 2026
Bridge foundation drilling activities continue within San Juan Creek – August 2026
Crews constructing bridge support structures - August 2026
Installation of rebar cages – July 2026
Crews conducting concrete pouring activities for bridge foundation – July 2026
Crews conducting rebar installation for bridge foundation – July 2026
Delivery of sheet piles into the San Juan Creek – July 2026
Crews preparing the work area to support crane operations – July 2026
Preparing structural foundations for the next stage of bridge construction – July 2026
Crews installing rebar – July 2026
Crews conducting digging and excavation activities – June 2026
Crews working on the second foundation – June 2026
Crews placing rebar – June 2026
Excavation activities – June 2026
Rebar Cage Testing activities – June 2026
Concrete pouring activities – June 2026
Crews removing temporary steel casing – June 2026
Crews conducting excavation activities – May 2026
Aerial view of bridge construction activities – May 2026
Crews conducting steel cage placement – May 2026
Crews installing rebar cages – May 2026
Crews concrete pour activities – May 2026
Crews delivering rebar cages for pile installation – May 2026
Crews conducting excavation activities – May 2026
Crews installing a steel casing – May 2026
Crews delivering backfill – May 2026
Crews working in the creek – April 2026
Old railroad bridge demolition activites – April 2026
Aerial view of bridge girder removal – April 2026
Aerial view of bridge girder removal – April 2026
Aerial view of bridge girder removal – April 2026
Deck removal Activities – March 2026
If you have any questions or would like to request information in another language, please contact the Outreach Team at (800) 724-0353 or email SJCBridge@octa.net.
