OCTA’s effort is the largest volume of sand placement planned for San Clemente beaches in a single effort. The emergency projects are independent from the Coastal Rail Resiliency Study and are anticipated to move into construction as early as April 2025.

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.

As a part of Coastal Rail Resiliency Study, OCTA completed an Initial Assessment in January 2024 that identified four areas – called Reinforcement Areas – that require immediate action to ensure safe and uninterrupted rail operations through San Clemente because of unstable slopes and beach erosion.

On April 12, OCTA authorized emergency actions to stabilize sections of railroad track threatened by coastal erosion and landslides in San Clemente, moving forward with urgent work to ensure continued passenger and freight rail operations through South Orange County.

As OCTA nears completion on emergency work to stabilize railroad tracks in San Clemente, the agency and its partners continue to push forward on finding longer-term solutions to protect the vital coastal rail line.

OCTA’s effort is the largest volume of sand ever placed on San Clemente beaches in a single effort to protect the rail line and stabilize the coastline. The complete work OCTA has proposed includes: Placing up to 540,000 cubic yards of sand-- approximately 95% of total materials— to restore beaches and absorb wave energy;

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.

Starting Saturday, Oct. 29, however, Metrolink weekend trains along the Orange County and Inland Empire-Orange County lines will resume service to and from the San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, and San Clemente Pier stations. Weekday service is still suspended.

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority and its contractor have begun construction activities to stabilize the railroad track through southern San Clemente, work that is expected to be completed in February.

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.