OCTA Continues Coastal Rail Resiliency Study; Catchment Wall Wooden Panels Now Up

Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
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Courtesy of OCTA

ORANGE COUNTY – As OCTA and Metrolink work to address a stretch of the rail line after a landslide in January, it seeks longer-term solutions for protecting the rail right of way.

Emergency work is still taking place in San Clemente as OCTA works with Metrolink to protect the rail line near Mariposa Point. OCTA is continuing forward with a study to “find lasting solutions” by assessing areas in need of reinforcement in order to prevent future emergencies. On Monday, March 11th, in an update on the Coastal Rail Resiliency Study, it found sites along the coastal rail line “recommended for monitoring and reinforcement to ensure rail traffic can continue moving without additional interruptions.”

Courtesy of OCTA

The Coastal Rail Resiliency Study (led by OCTA) seeks to assess and implement strategies to reinforce the railway along a 7-mile stretch “between Dana Point and the San Diego County Line.” It is also exploring long-term solutions. On Monday, the assessment identified seven areas along the stretch that need additional monitoring and reinforcement in order to keep further debris from falling into the rail right of way. According to the report, the potential solutions that are meant to protect the track include “installing monitors to analyze soil or track movement, building additional catchment walls, and engineering placement of large protective boulders (known as riprap) where appropriate.”

Courtesy of OCTA

In addition, public comments have mentioned bringing in additional sand on the coastal side, which is being considered as a longer-term solution. However, the immediate goal is to address the reinforcement before the next storm season. OCTA reports it will continue to work with local, state, and federal partners for funding. 

OCTA Chair Tam T. Nguyen said OCTA understands “this rail line is vital for the safe movement of people and goods in Orange County and the region . . . So even as we complete the emergency work, OCTA is moving forward on many fronts, along with all our partners and stakeholders, to make sure we are protecting the coastal rail line for many years to come.”

Two listening sessions will be held:

  1. On April 11th, a virtual public meeting will be held via Zoom
  2. On May 30th, an in-person public meeting will be held in San Clemente. More details will be announced on the OCTA website as the date comes closer.

Despite the findings, the Coastal Rail Resiliency Study will continue with “initial concepts developed with community input” scheduled for later this year. Once that happens, it will be refined and drafted into a plan to “address protecting the rail line in place for the next 10 to 30 years” when it goes to the OCTA Board in 2025. As part of a longer-term effort, OCTA says it is advocating for a “state-led capital project effort to address concerns along the 351-mile LOSSAN corridor to safeguard the future of rail transportation across the region.”

Since the landslide in January, RT&S has reported on the response from OCTA and Metrolink. Currently, teams are still working to construct the 200-foot-long catchment wall at Mariposa Point. Last week, 33 steel beams that form the foundation were completed. On Monday, teams finished installing wooden panels that make up the wall.

On March 6th, Amtrak Pacific Surfliner resumed limited passenger service during the morning and evening as construction on the wall takes place during the daytime. When the catchment wall is in place, crews will continue additional track work including grading and drainage throughout this week. 

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