OCTA Board of Directors Authorizes Emergency Actions for San Clemente
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
Mud slide along LOSSAN Corridor at San Clemente in February 2024.
Courtesy of OCTA
ORANGE COUNTY - The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors authorized emergency actions to stabilize track in San Clemente.
On April 1st, RT&S reported that OCTA had submitted an Emergency Coastal Develop Permit to the California Coastal Commission in order to allow it to expedite work to stabilize four vulnerable areas throughout San Clemente. On April 10th, the California Coastal Commission issued a partial emergency Coastal Development Permit. This does not include approval for all elements that OCTA identified as necessary. Now, OCTA will review the authorization to examine the “best path forward.”
OCTA Chair and Orange County’s Fourth District Supervisor Doug Chaffee said, “This action enables OCTA to act quickly and decisively to protect our coastal rail line. . . By advancing this emergency work, we are helping to preserve a critical transportation link for Southern California, the region and beyond.” OCTA also stated that while the emergency permit allows them to act quickly, it is still subject to the California Coastal Act and must comply with environmental requirements.
OCTA CEO Darrell E. Johnson said, “Our priority remains clear: to move quickly, make the most of the state and federal funding we’ve already secured, and deliver as much of the needed work as possible, as soon as possible. . . We appreciate the Coastal Commission affirming what we have long recognized – that an emergency exists along this corridor.”
To allow for the necessary construction to take place, passenger rail int he area will need to be shut down. OCTA says it will work with Metrolink and Amtrak Pacific-Surfliner to keep riders informed as a they work to nail down a schedule.
As previously reported, OCTA has identified four areas that are in need of action. This includes using an estimated 95% sand and 5% riprap to stabilize the slope and protect the infrastructure. OCTA proposes placing 540,000 cubic yards of sand to “restore beaches and absorb wave energy” and repairing 9,000 tons of riprap to prevent bluff failure. Additionally, it will install a 1,400 catchment wall that will restore a pedestrian trail at Mariposa Point and construct a 1,200-foot shoreline protection structure located near San Clemente State Beach. Riprap will only be used where it’s necessary and functional, according to the report. For sand nourishment, OCTA has issued a Request for Information for “qualified sand dredging contractors” and to advance clearance for offshore sand sourcing. This construction work is expected to begin in 2026.
As for funding, the OCTA Board made changes to its FY 2024-2025 budget to allow another $135 million for this work. It also builds upon state and federal funding totaling more than $313 million.
