Emergency repairs to last five more weeks along San Clemente’s coastline

Crews continue crisis rail repairs along San Clemente s coastline Photo courtesy of OCTA Crews made notable progress this week in stabilizing San Clemente s coastal rail line which is expected to remain closed for another five weeks as crisis repairs continue Focusing on the most of vulnerable areas in San Clemente crews are working to reinforce the coastal rail line and protect against sliding bluffs and coastal erosion The work began April Rail is expected to be shut down for patron institution for a total of approximately six weeks through early June The Orange County Transportation Authority in coordination with Metrolink and Amtrak s Pacific Surfliner is taking action to protect the only coastal rail link between San Diego and Orange counties Threats continue from the privately owned bluffs as well as from coastal erosion and storm surges Map of zones for OCTA exigency repairs to coastal rail line Photo courtesy of OCTA Essential progress has been made on repairs of riprap a layer of large rocks to protect against soil erosion in one of four zones being worked on Area The bulk of this week s work consisted of removing the remaining spans of the city s damaged Mariposa Point pedestrian bridge in Area Each steel span is approximately feet long and weighed pounds Excavators were positioned on the beach and the inland side of the track to begin repairing the damaged riprap That work will continue in Areas and through the weekend and throughout next week typically between a m and p m At the same time the OCTA is working to source cubic yards of sand set to be placed in Areas and north of Mariposa Point At its May meeting the California Coastal Commission will consider OCTA s proposal to construct a new catchment wall at Mariposa Point in Area and restore the pedestrian beach trail Throughout the past four years the eroding bluffs on San Clemente s coastline on both city and private property have repeatedly forced the closure of the rail line that has operated largely uninterrupted for over years OCTA submitted an exigency Coastal Rise Permit application to the Coastal Commission that was partially approved in April The total package of projects estimated at a cost of approximately million includes about sand and rock reinforcement The current work estimated to cost approximately million is moving forward under exigency authorization from the commission During the closure passengers are appealed to check metrolinktrains com service-updates and www pacificsurfliner com alerts for the latest arrangement updates For the latest on the project visit www octa net railemergency