The Orange County Transportation Authority is receiving emergency help to repair train tracks in San Clemente after a landslide that halted service indefinitely between Orange and San Diego counties.
On Thursday, Caltrans issued an emergency declaration as a result of the recent mudslide. Passenger train service was stopped between the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Oceanside stations, which are used by Metrolink and Amtrak passengers.
“The hillside is still moving, which is why passenger rail service has not resumed,” said Scott Johnson, Metrolink communications director. However, he said steps were taken to shore up the slope above the tracks before Thursday’s storm hit.
The emergency declaration allows OCTA, which owns that section of the rail line, to access up to $10 million in immediate emergency repair funds.
On Jan. 24, track personnel observed debris and dirt falling onto the track, prompting the closure, Johnson told The Times on Thursday.
Before this week’s storm, “a significant amount of excavation and grading was carried out,” Johnson said, “along with efforts to restore an extensive sewer system.”
Workers placed tubes, pipes, ballast and rocks, as well as tarps to protect them from the rain.
The teams were “there all day Wednesday,” he said. “They are still seeing movement, but no major debris has fallen on the runway.”
Some freight trains can still use the track between 9pm and 3am, but at drastically reduced speeds, he said.
Despite the emergency declaration and imminent funding, there is still no timeline for when passenger rail service will resume.
This is not the first time in recent years that roads have been closed due to a landslide. A similar incident occurred in April.