Pacific Surfliner, more to resume along reinforced coastal rail line on June 7

Equipment positioned along the coastal rail line used by Amtrak s Pacific Surfliner Photo courtesy of OCTA Tourist rail system including the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner is scheduled to fully resume through South Orange County on June That follows the planned completion of construction on the initial phase of exigency work to reinforce the majority of vulnerable areas along the rail line in San Clemente Landslides and instability have led to multiple halts to provision along the coastal rail line since stoppages that also affect Metrolink which has two lines that reach the Oceanside Pier in North County As the services resume normal schedules Pacific Surfliner the Amtrak link through Southern California to San Diego and Metrolink passengers are questioned to check for the latest updates online The Orange County Transportation Authority in partnership with Metrolink started construction in late April and it proceeded faster than expected allowing rider provision to open slightly ahead of schedule Nearly tons of large boulders also known as riprap were set throughout the project areas to protect the track Phases for crisis repairs to the coastal rail line File photo courtesy of OCTA The rock was sorted and placed primarily within the area where riprap previously existed to protect against coastal erosion Approximately cubic yards of sand also will be placed on the beach in Areas and between Mariposa Point and North Beach Crews continue preparing the track to resume client provision including testing rail signals and resurfacing and inspecting the track The work continues daily primarily between a m and p m though particular nighttime work also may occur prior to the June reopening The project club also is finishing placement of large temporary concrete obstacles between the track and the inland bluff in Area to create a safe workspace for crews to build an approximately -foot-long catchment wall a wall to allow for collection of debris and runoff in the coming months The wall construction schedule is still being determined but is being planned to limit further disruption to visitor rail function Client rail provision through San Clemente was suspended beginning April to allow for crews to reinforce sections of track at immediate peril from landslides and coastal erosion The project is an attempt by OCTA in coordination with Metrolink and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner to protect the only coastal rail link between San Diego and Orange counties The total package of projects is estimated to cost approximately million The project components consist of sand and armoring The current phase in Areas and estimated to cost approximately million