The coastal rail service connecting Orange and San Diego counties is set to resume on June 7 after a six-week closure for track repairs. This line runs from Dana Point in Orange County to Oceanside in San Diego County and is used by both Metrolink and Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner.
The closure began in April due to severe landslides and coastal erosion that posed risks to the rail infrastructure. The California Coastal Commission approved emergency repairs to address these issues. Workers have placed 5,900 tons of large boulders, known as riprap, along the tracks. These boulders help absorb water flow and stabilize the area to prevent further erosion. Additionally, up to 240,000 cubic yards of sand will be added between critical 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 the repairs is estimated at around $300 million.
OCTA acknowledges that this is not the first time the rail service has faced interruptions. Over the past four years, the eroding bluffs in San Clemente have repeatedly forced closures. The rail line has been in operation for more than 125 years, but recent weather events have made maintenance more urgent.
Work crews will continue to be active along the rail from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily leading up to the service resumption. Both the Pacific Surfliner and Metrolink services are expected to return to their normal schedules on June 7.