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.

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;

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.

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.

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.

Work is finishing up on the I-5 South County Improvements Project, a $230 million widening of I-5 to extend carpool lanes from San Juan Capistrano to San Clemente that includes the complete reconstruction of the Avenida Pico interchange.

OCTA’s and Caltrans’ efforts to complete high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane improvements on Interstate 5 between Avenida Pico and the San Diego County Line; The Ortega Highway (SR-74) widening in San Juan Capistrano from two lanes to four lanes between Calle Entradero and the city/county border

Emergency work to stabilize the railroad track in southern San Clemente is progressing. The stabilization work includes installing two rows of ground anchors into bedrock along a 700-foot stretch of hillside next to the train tracks.

Crews are laying final, permanent striping, installing landscaping and closing out a few miscellaneous items on the segment, which is part of a $230 million project to extend the carpool lane in each direction from San Juan Capistrano to San Clemente and reconstruct the Avenida Pico interchange.