San Diego-Orange County Rail: Service Resumes After Landslide Risk
Coastal rail service between San Diego and Orange counties will restart on June 7, resolving a six-week suspension prompted by landslide risks and coastal erosion. Crews have been working diligently to fortify the railway, deploying 5,900 tons of boulders and preparing to lay up to 240,000 cubic yards of sand to protect the tracks.This vital rail line, connecting key cities like San Clemente and Oceanside, is crucial for Metrolink and Amtrak’s Pacific surfliner. The orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) estimates a $300 million investment for these critical repairs.News Directory 3 brings you the latest on this significant infrastructure project. Discover what’s next for this Southern California transportation lifeline.
Coastal Rail Service set to Reopen After Erosion Repairs
Updated May 30, 2025
Passenger rail service linking Orange and san diego counties is scheduled to resume on June 7, according to the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA). The reopening follows nearly six weeks of intensive repairs to reinforce tracks threatened by landslides and coastal erosion.
The coastal rail line, crucial for both Metrolink commuter trains and Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner, stretches from Dana Point in Orange County to the southernmost san Diego County stops, including San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, and Oceanside. Service was halted in April to allow for emergency construction approved by the California Coastal commission.
The emergency repairs became necessary after sections of the rail line,situated below bluffs,were deemed unstable and at immediate risk. To bolster the railway,crews have placed 5,900 tons of large boulders,known as riprap,along the tracks to absorb water flow and stabilize potential runoff. Additionally,up to 240,000 cubic yards of sand will be strategically placed between Mariposa and North beaches.
The OCTA also reported that crews are preparing to construct a 1,400-foot-long catchment beside the rail line, though the construction schedule remains under evaluation. The total cost for these projects is estimated at $300 million.
The OCTA acknowledged the repeated disruptions to passenger rail service in its update.”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,” the agency stated.
What’s next
Work will continue daily between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. untill the rail reopens. Both the Pacific Surfliner and Metrolink are scheduled to resume normal service on June 7, restoring vital transportation links along the Southern California coast.