The first of two public meetings will be held this week to discuss how the Orange County Transportation Authority can protect its tracks through southern Orange County’s coastal cities, where the ocean and slippery slopes threaten the track ironed.
The first will be a virtual meeting at 5 p.m. on April 11, hosted by OCTA to discuss a hotspot study and short-term proposals to try to protect the tracks, while the second will take place in person on the 30th. May at San Clemente City Hall. The rail section through southern Orange County is part of the 351-mile rail corridor between San Luis Obispo and San Diego, billed as the second busiest passenger rail corridor in the country.
Public feedback will inform the ongoing Coastal Rail Resilience Study, led by the transportation agency, “and an initial assessment that identified sites along the Coastal Rail line recommended for monitoring and reinforcement,” OCTA officials said in an announcement of the two meetings.
OCTA, which owns the tracks, has already heard resistance in recent “listening sessions” with local stakeholders and community groups to proposals that would include adding more rocks to the ocean side of the tracks , instead wanting more sand replenishment for the beaches.
The aim of the study, which covers 7 miles of coastline, is to “evaluate strategies to protect the existing railway for up to 30 years and ensure uninterrupted rail operations while minimizing service disruptions.” passengers and freight.
Landslides and wave damage to tracks have interrupted train service several times in recent years. Passenger service resumed late last month following the latest damage caused by a landslide in January.
A separate long-term OCTA study will examine, among other solutions, potentially moving the rail line to an inland alignment between San Juan Capistrano and San Onofre State Beach.
On April 12, the California Coastal Commission will consider a request from the Southern California Regional Rail Authority and OCTA to continue temporary authorization of a development undertaken under an emergency permit for a barrier wall 250 feet long and 12 feet high installed in following a landslide last year beneath the city’s historic Casa Romantica.
The two transportation agencies also propose removing the barrier wall up to 3 feet below grade once the city completes its slope stabilization project on the Casa Romantica property above.
For the virtual OCTA meeting, go to bit.ly/CRRS-PublicMtg1 or call (669) 900-6833. The in-person meeting will take place on May 30 at 5 p.m. at San Clemente City Hall, 910 Calle Negocio.
Connelly writes for the Orange County Register.
California Daily Newspapers
