Orange County officials have approved a series of projects to stabilize the coastal rail corridor through San Clemente. The measures include adding over 500,000 cubic yards of sand and repairing rock structures along the rail line, which is part of the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) corridor. This corridor has faced disruptions since 2021 due to erosion and landslides.
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is spearheading these efforts, which also involve installing a 1,400-foot catchment wall to prevent landslide debris from reaching the tracks. According to LAist, the California Coastal Commission has granted emergency permits for these actions, but further permits from the Army Corps of Engineers are still required for sand replenishment.
Despite these efforts, environmentalists argue that the measures are short-term solutions that could worsen coastal erosion and limit public beach access. Mandy Sackett from the Surfrider Foundation criticized the rock walls, saying they disrupt natural coastal processes. Suzie Whitelaw, president of Save Our Beaches San Clemente, emphasized that sand is a more sustainable solution, as it naturally buffers against strong waves.
The OCTA has secured over $313 million in funding from state and federal sources to support these projects. However, Mass Transit Magazine reports that the stabilization work will require temporary rail line closures, with details on the timeline still being finalized.
In response to environmental concerns, the OCTA is conducting studies to explore long-term solutions and has postponed the release of a coastal rail resiliency study to 2026. The agency continues to collaborate with regulatory bodies and stakeholders to ensure the rail line’s safety and reliability.
Recent Comments