Phone (714) 560-OCTA (6282) Business Hours Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Street Address 550 S. Main Street Orange, CA 92868
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), in coordination with Metrolink, is taking emergency action to stabilize the rail line in north San Clemente. Construction Activities Crews are making progress in the ongoing emergency work to stabilize the coastal rail line in San Clemente.
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has submitted an Emergency Coastal Development Permit application to the California Coastal Commission to advance four emergency projects that will immediately protect a critical link in the state’s rail network.
All regular Metrolink and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service is scheduled to resume beginning Monday, April 17, after OCTA’s emergency construction work stopped slope movement and stabilized the tracks in south San Clemente.
Metrolink and Amtrak passenger rail service continues to be limited during the emergency repairs. Rail service could resume prior to construction completion, but no decision has been made. OCTA will work in partnership with all rail agencies to determine at what point service can safely restart.
On April 14, the OCTA Board is expected to consider an action that will allow the CEO to enter into emergency contracting agreements to expedite work on the four Coastal Rail Stabilization Priority Projects that were identified in 2024 as most vulnerable.
Since fall 2021, multiple bluff failures and landslides on privately owned land have, along with coastal erosion, have significantly impacted rail operations along the Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor, requiring emergency stabilization efforts.
The new funding from the state allows the OCTA and Metrolink project team to move forward on constructing a catchment wall at Mariposa Point in San Clemente, as well as other mitigation to protect the track from soil and debris from a privately owned slope that slid into the rail right of way in late January.
As a part of Coastal Rail Resiliency Study, OCTA completed an Initial Assessment that identified four areas requiring immediate action to ensure safe and uninterrupted rail operations through San Clemente. The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), in coordination with Metrolink, is replacing the railroad bridge over San Juan Creek.
In mid-October, crews completed the placement of 27 precast concrete girders above the active Metrolink railroad at the La Paz Road Interchange. The concrete girders were placed as the primary support for the future northbound freeway lanes as part of the I-5 South County Improvements Project.