Passenger rail service through San Clemente was suspended beginning April 28 to allow for crews to safely conduct emergency work to reinforce sections of track at immediate risk from landslides and coastal erosion.
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.
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), in coordination with Metrolink, is taking emergency action to advance emergency projects in San Clemente that will immediately protect a critical link in the state’s rail network.
Issue an emergency design-build procurement for construction of a catchment wall along Mariposa Point, which is planned to include restoration of San Clemente’s popular pedestrian trail, and to build a revetment, seawall, or functionally equivalent structure south of San Clemente State Beach.
OCTA has updated its potential solutions to address immediate threats to rail service through San Clemente, and sand nourishment – always under consideration – is a key piece in the coastal rail protection puzzle.
The board unanimously approved a resolution authorizing OCTA CEO Darrell E. Johnson to take all necessary steps to protect a vital stretch of track through San Clemente, where recent landslides, beach erosion and degrading riprap pose a serious threat to the rail line.
On March 31, OCTA submitted an Emergency Coastal Development Permit to the California Coastal Commission to expedite work to stabilize four areas most vulnerable to failure above the railroad track through San Clemente.
Meeting of May 12, 2025 OCTA Board Receives Updates on San Clemente Coastal Rail Stabilization The Orange County Transportation Authority’s Board of Directors received an update on efforts to stabilize the coastal rail line in San Clemente. Emergency construction work began on April 28.
Weekday service is still suspended. Recently, OCTA finalized a contract with a geo-technical firm to begin emergency work to stabilize the railroad track through southern San Clemente.
Passenger rail service through San Clemente was suspended beginning April 28 to allow for crews to safely conduct emergency work to reinforce sections of track at immediate risk from landslides and coastal erosion.