South OC Rail Riders Must Seek Alternate Solutions Due To Emergency On Tracks

LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA — Thursday's Metrolink and Surfliner service to the San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente and Oceanside stations was halted due to emergency track work. Trains will run to the north of Laguna Niguel, they say.

The track work is intended to stabilize the right-of-way in the San Clemente area and ensure the safety of train operations, Metrolink spokesperson Paul Gonzales said. The concerns are over an "unstable cliff in southern San Clemente."

The issue came to light over the past seven days, according to a Surfliner spokesperson. "Between the ocean and the bluff, there are multiple things moving," they said.

San Clemente Councilman Gene James told the OC Register that the city is working with Metrolink, The Army Corps of Engineers, the Orange County Transportation Authority, and Cypress Shores' community for the stabilization project.

"Between the sea, the sand and the earth, there has been some movement of the railroad tracks," Gonzales said. "We will be working to make sure they are safe for all rail traffic going through the corridor," Gonzales said.

Railway service should resume by Oct 4, Gonzales says. "If the work is completed earlier than expected, Metrolink service will also resume."

The stoppage affects all trains on the Orange County and Inland Empire-Orange County lines and suspended Metrolink and Surfliner first announced service Wednesday.

Metrolink riders will have service for stations only as far south as the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Station during the suspension, according to Gonzales.

As for Pacific Surfliner passengers, no trains will operate south of Irvine until at least Sunday. According to their website, the Surfliner expects to resume a limited-service schedule between Oceanside and San Diego, with bus service provided between Irvine and Oceanside, starting Monday, Sept. 20.

Unlike short stoppage situations, there will be no Metrolink bus service for passengers to connect to the San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, or Oceanside stations.