The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) will hold two meetings this month to gather public input on the agency’s Coastal Rail Resiliency Study.
The study examines potential solutions that will safeguard rail operations for the next three decades and evaluates strategies to keep trains running along seven miles of vulnerable coastline between Dana Point and the San Diego County line. It focuses on areas needing immediate reinforcement because of coastal erosion and the sliding of privately owned hillsides above the tracks.
The first meeting will be held tomorrow from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at San Clemente City Hall. A second meeting will be held via Zoom on July 29 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Registration is required. Spanish interpretation will be provided at both meetings.
Public feedback will be used to help shape draft alternatives.
The 351-mile LOSSAN Corridor is designated a U.S. Department of Defense Strategic Rail Corridor Network asset, and it is the second-busiest passenger rail route in the United States. Since 2021, there have been multiple weather-related closures in San Clemente.
OCTA in partnership with Metrolink conducted emergency work from late April to early June. Crews conducted reinforcement work.
The final version of the report is expected next year.