Coastal rail closed due to landslide risk to resume service between San Diego and Orange counties
The coastal rail linking Orange and San Diego counties is expected to resume service next month after crews spent nearly six weeks reinforcing tracks that were subject to landslides and coastal erosion.
Service on the oceanside rail — which extends from Dana Point in south Orange County to the southernmost stops in San Diego County, including San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano and Oceanside — is set to resume June 7, according to an Orange County Transportation Authority update. The rail line, which serves Metrolink's commuter trains and Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner, was closed in April to begin construction.
The California Coastal Commission approved emergency construction last month after several sections of the rail, which lie below bluffs, were deemed unstable and at immediate risk of landslide and coastal erosion.
Crews placed 5,900 tons of large boulders, known as riprap, along the rail, which are intended to absorb flowing water and stabilize potential runoff that may obstruct the rail. Up to 240,000 cubic yards of sand will also be placed between two crucial points along the rail between Mariposa and North beaches. The OCTA said crews are preparing to construct a 1,400-foot-long catchment beside the rail, but noted that the construction schedule is still being determined.
The OCTA estimated the total cost of the projects to be about $300 million.
In the update, the OCTA acknowledged the recurring interruptions to its passenger rail service: 'Over the past four years, San Clemente's eroding bluffs — on both city and private property — have repeatedly forced the closure of the rail line that has operated largely uninterrupted for more than 125 years.'
Work will continue daily between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. before the rail's opening. Service on the Pacific Surfliner and Metrolink are still scheduled to resume normally starting June 7.
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Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Coastal rail closed due to landslide risk to resume service between San Diego and Orange counties
The coastal rail linking Orange and San Diego counties is expected to resume service next month after crews spent nearly six weeks reinforcing tracks that were subject to landslides and coastal erosion. Service on the oceanside rail — which extends from Dana Point in south Orange County to the southernmost stops in San Diego County, including San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano and Oceanside — is set to resume June 7, according to an Orange County Transportation Authority update. The rail line, which serves Metrolink's commuter trains and Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner, was closed in April to begin construction. The California Coastal Commission approved emergency construction last month after several sections of the rail, which lie below bluffs, were deemed unstable and at immediate risk of landslide and coastal erosion. Crews placed 5,900 tons of large boulders, known as riprap, along the rail, which are intended to absorb flowing water and stabilize potential runoff that may obstruct the rail. Up to 240,000 cubic yards of sand will also be placed between two crucial points along the rail between Mariposa and North beaches. The OCTA said crews are preparing to construct a 1,400-foot-long catchment beside the rail, but noted that the construction schedule is still being determined. Read more: Angels Flight announces price hike as iconic L.A. railway becomes latest victim of inflation The OCTA estimated the total cost of the projects to be about $300 million. In the update, the OCTA acknowledged the recurring interruptions to its passenger rail service: 'Over the past four years, San Clemente's eroding bluffs — on both city and private property — have repeatedly forced the closure of the rail line that has operated largely uninterrupted for more than 125 years.' Work will continue daily between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. before the rail's opening. Service on the Pacific Surfliner and Metrolink are still scheduled to resume normally starting June 7. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
a day ago
- Los Angeles Times
Coastal rail closed due to landslide risk to resume service between San Diego and Orange counties
The coastal rail linking Orange and San Diego counties is expected to resume service next month after crews spent nearly six weeks reinforcing tracks that were subject to landslides and coastal erosion. Service on the oceanside rail — which extends from Dana Point in south Orange County to the southernmost stops in San Diego County, including San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano and Oceanside — is set to resume June 7, according to an Orange County Transportation Authority update. The rail line, which serves Metrolink's commuter trains and Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner, was closed in April to begin construction. The California Coastal Commission approved emergency construction last month after several sections of the rail, which lie below bluffs, were deemed unstable and at immediate risk of landslide and coastal erosion. Crews placed 5,900 tons of large boulders, known as riprap, along the rail, which are intended to absorb flowing water and stabilize potential runoff that may obstruct the rail. Up to 240,000 cubic yards of sand will also be placed between two crucial points along the rail between Mariposa and North beaches. The OCTA said crews are preparing to construct a 1,400-foot-long catchment beside the rail, but noted that the construction schedule is still being determined. The OCTA estimated the total cost of the projects to be about $300 million. In the update, the OCTA acknowledged the recurring interruptions to its passenger rail service: 'Over the past four years, San Clemente's eroding bluffs — on both city and private property — have repeatedly forced the closure of the rail line that has operated largely uninterrupted for more than 125 years.' Work will continue daily between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. before the rail's opening. Service on the Pacific Surfliner and Metrolink are still scheduled to resume normally starting June 7.
CBS News
a day ago
- CBS News
San Clemente passenger rail to reopen ahead of schedule
Passenger rail service through a popular Southern California route is set to resume after more than a month's worth of repairs. The Orange County Transportation Authority on Friday announced the San Clemente rail will reopen for passenger service on Saturday, June 7. Metrolink and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner are scheduled to resume full service on that date. Starting on April 28, service was halted in order for crews to conduct emergency reinforcements to sections of the track that were at risk from landslides and coastal erosion. The project will be completed a few days earlier than the estimated six weeks, OCTA says. Construction has been a daily occurrence since the closure. Crews placed riprap, or large boulders, to protect the track in appropriate areas. Remaining work includes demobilizing equipment, clearing out construction areas and conducting inspections. Crews will remain at the track daily between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. until June 7, with possible nighttime work if needed.
