Coastal Erosion Forces Six-Week Train Suspension
Passenger rail services through San Clemente have been suspended for approximately six weeks due to emergency stabilization efforts addressing coastal erosion and landslides. This suspension impacts both Metrolink and Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner routes, crucial links between Orange and San Diego counties.
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), in collaboration with Metrolink and Amtrak, initiated the suspension on April 28, 2025, to facilitate urgent reinforcement work along the Los Angeles–San Diego–San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor. Recent engineering analyses identified multiple areas in San Clemente where the coastal bluffs have become unstable, posing immediate risks to the rail infrastructure.
The emergency measures include:
- Placement of approximately 240,000 cubic yards of sand to stabilize the slopes and protect the tracks.
- Installation of riprap (rock reinforcements) in critical areas to prevent further erosion.
- Removal of a damaged pedestrian bridge at Mariposa Point, compromised by a previous landslide.
- Construction of a 1,400-foot catchment wall to safeguard the rail line from falling debris.
These efforts are being conducted under a partial emergency Coastal Development Permit granted by the California Coastal Commission, allowing for expedited action to protect this vital transportation corridor.
This is not an isolated incident. Since 2021, the San Clemente section of the LOSSAN corridor has been shut down four times due to landslides or bluff instability. These closures underscore the increasing fragility of coastal infrastructure in the face of natural degradation and climate pressures.
“This erosion is not just a transportation issue—it’s a climate resilience issue,” said a coastal engineer at UC Irvine. “We’re witnessing the long-term consequences of building critical infrastructure on unstable coastline.”
The suspension has led to significant disruptions for daily commuters and travelers:
- Metrolink Services: Trains on the Orange County and Inland Empire–Orange County lines now terminate at the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Station. Service to San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, and Oceanside stations is temporarily halted, with no alternate transportation provided.
- Amtrak Pacific Surfliner: Modified services are operating between San Luis Obispo and San Juan Capistrano, and between Oceanside and Downtown San Diego. A bus connection bridges the gap between Irvine and Oceanside to maintain continuity for passengers.
Local businesses, particularly those near the San Clemente Pier and Del Mar district, are reporting lower foot traffic and lost revenue. For shops and restaurants that rely heavily on weekend visitors arriving by train, the hit is significant.
Proposals for permanent solutions include:
- Track Relocation: Moving the rail line inland—possibly through tunneling under neighborhoods or rerouting along the I-5 corridor.
- Structural Seawalls: Building large-scale retaining walls or bluff reinforcements along the coast.
- Hybrid Solutions: Combining managed retreat with green infrastructure, like vegetated terraces or engineered reefs.
However, these plans face steep hurdles, including environmental approvals, budget shortfalls, and local opposition. Relocation alone is estimated to cost $4–6 billion, according to a preliminary feasibility report.
Rising sea levels, stronger storm surges, and prolonged drought cycles are all accelerating coastal erosion across California. San Clemente’s crisis is part of a larger narrative—statewide, nearly 85% of California's rail corridors run along or near the coast.
California’s 2024 Coastal Resilience Strategy earmarks funding for long-term adaptation projects, and San Clemente is expected to apply for state and federal grants in the coming months.
> “These disruptions show why infrastructure resilience must be a top priority in climate planning,” said Assemblymember Tanya Rivera, whose district includes southern Orange County. “We cannot keep relying on Band-Aid fixes.”
Passengers are encouraged to monitor updates and plan alternate travel:
- Metrolink: [Service Updates]
- Amtrak Pacific Surfliner: [Alerts]
