The coastal rail service connecting Orange and San Diego counties is set to resume on June 7 after a six-week closure for repairs. This rail line, which stretches from Dana Point in Orange County to various stops in San Diego County, including San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, and Oceanside, was shut down in April due to concerns over landslides and coastal erosion.
The California Coastal Commission approved emergency repairs last month after some sections of the track were found to be unstable, posing an immediate risk of landslides. In response, crews have been working diligently to reinforce the tracks. They placed 5,900 tons of large boulders, known as riprap, along the rail to help absorb water flow and stabilize the area. Additionally, up to 240,000 cubic yards of sand will be added between key points along the rail.
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is also planning to build a 1,400-foot-long catchment area beside the rail, although the timeline for this construction is still being finalized. The total cost for these projects is estimated at around $300 million.
OCTA has acknowledged that the rail service has faced multiple interruptions over the past four years due to the erosion of bluffs in San Clemente. This has been a challenge for a rail line that has operated largely without major issues for over 125 years.
Work on the rail will continue daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. leading up to the reopening. Services for both Metrolink and Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner are expected to return to normal on June 7, offering a much-needed connection for commuters and travelers in the region.