OCTA Gives San Clemente Update; Crews Place Riprap to Protect Line

Crews place riprap along the rail line in San Clemente.

Courtesy of OCTA

SAN CLEMENTE - In the second week of emergency work, crews have begun placing riprap in Areas 1 and 2, and OCTA has acquired a permit to construct a catchment wall.

A week ago, RT&S reported on the progress made in the first week of emergency work in San Clemente. During the first week, crews worked to remove the remaining spans of the damaged pedestrian bridge at Mariposa Point in Area 3. Each span, made of steel, measured around 80 feet long and weighed 20,000 pounds. 

On May 8th, OCTA gave an update on the rail closure and emergency work. It has received additional approvals from the California Coastal Commission to advance more work. On Wednesday, it approved a request “for a Coastal Development Permit to construct the catchment wall at Mariposa Point and restore the pedestrian trail.” This wall will measure 1,400 feet long and will help protect the line from sliding debris. Additionally, crews have finished removing the remaining spans of the current pedestrian bridge that had sustained damage.

Crews have also started placing and repairing riprap, or large boulders, in Areas 1 and 2. As of reporting, OCTA says it has placed around 2,200 tons of riprap next to the track. These are “strategically sorted and placed primarily within the area where riprap previously existed.” This is to reinforce the track and protect against erosion. Moreover, 240,000 cubic yards of sand will be placed in Areas 1 and 2. OCTA says passenger rail service will be suspended until early June.

CATCH UP

• OCTA Submits Emergency Coastal Develop Permit 4/01
• OCTA Board of Directors Authorizes Emergency Actions for San Clemente 4/17
• Passenger Service Temporarily Suspended as Crews Work in San Clemente 4/28
• San Clemente Emergency Work: Week One Progress 5/02