Orange County Transportation Authority ready for public input on siding extension project

If people travel to their office once or twice per week, will they be more likely to use their private automobile instead of public transit?

The Orange County Transportation Authority and Metrolink is inviting the public to learn more about a proposed railroad track project in Dana Point, Calif., to provide safer and more reliable train service.

The Serra Siding Extension Project, currently in the environmental and planning phase, would extend 1.2 miles of siding track along the existing rail right-of-way, south from Victoria Boulevard, ending just before Beach Road. The siding track runs next to the main track and allows trains to pass each other. The project would prevent delays and enable more frequent train service.

Other proposed improvements include:

• Replacing the existing single-track bridge with two single-track bridges over Coast Highway;
• Improving segments of the main track;
• Constructing retaining walls near bridge and culvert structures;
• Installing culvert extensions within the right-of-way; and
• Relocating existing utilities in conflict with the proposed infrastructure.

A virtual public meeting, which will allow the public to learn more about the project and the environmental review process and ask questions, is scheduled from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 24. To register for the event, visit octa.net/SerraSiding.

Metrolink is seeking input on the scope and content of the project’s environmental document. Read more about the project in the Notice of Preparation on Metrolink’s website at MetrolinkTrains.com/SCORE.

The Serra Siding Extension Project is part of Metrolink’s Southern California Optimized Rail Expansion (SCORE) program, which covers the entire regional system including Metrolink’s Orange County and Inland Empire-Orange County lines and Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner.

For more information on the project, visit octa.net/SerraSiding.

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