News Summary
The Orange County Transportation Authority responds to a grand jury report that highlights the need for expedited beach restoration and better permit processes to protect rail tracks in San Clemente. The agency agrees with most findings but outlines complexities in addressing erosion and disruptions affecting service. Future stabilization efforts include new project proposals and securing significant state grants, ensuring vital rail connectivity between San Diego and Los Angeles.
San Clemente – The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has formally responded to a report from the Orange County grand jury concerning emergency projects aimed at protecting train tracks in San Clemente, which serves as San Diego’s only railroad link to Los Angeles. The report, released on June 30, acknowledged OCTA’s adequate response to recent emergency situations but recommended two significant actions to improve future efforts.
The grand jury’s recommendations include finding ways to expedite sand replenishment for beach restoration and lobbying state and federal agencies to accelerate the permit process for non-emergency maintenance work. In its response, signed by CEO Darrell Johnson, OCTA agreed with most of the report’s findings and provided clarifications on the complex issues raised.
According to the grand jury report, there is an abundance of sand available for replenishment projects; however, challenges regarding environmental suitability, transport logistics, and regulatory approvals still hinder progress. These complexities pose significant obstacles for public agencies trying to implement effective solutions.
The OCTA executive committee plans to seek approval of this response at an upcoming board meeting scheduled for September 8. The grand jury’s investigation was prompted by public complaints and focused on two main topics: the slow development of the OCTA streetcar project and recurrent rail disruptions caused by beach erosion and bluff landslides in San Clemente.
Since the fall of 2021, the San Clemente rail line has experienced five significant track closures due to bluff failures and landslides, culminating in nearly one year of disrupted passenger services. For comparison, there were only three environmental-related closures from the 1880s through the year 2020, underlining the recent increase in rail disruptions.
The San Clemente rail tracks, constructed on the beach due to the availability of flat land, face ongoing issues as a result of coastal and cliff erosion. Factors contributing to the environmental disruptions impacting the rail corridor remain contested, including natural groundwater seepage, over-irrigation, intense rainfall, and vibrations from freight trains.
Additional contributors to beach erosion include the placement of riprap stones, sea-level rise due to climate change, and the natural movement of sand within ocean currents. Since 2020, OCTA has spent approximately $40 million on emergency repairs; these efforts have included sand replenishment, track debris clearance, the construction of protective walls, regrading of slopes, and the installation of riprap along the tracks.
The coastal rail route through San Clemente is crucial, serving as the sole passenger and freight rail connection from San Diego County to the rest of the United States, and is also a part of the Defense Department’s Strategic Rail Corridor Network. This emphasizes the importance of maintaining reliable rail service, particularly since it carries millions of passengers and substantial freight annually.
In addition to the rail issues, the grand jury’s investigation also reviewed the OCTA streetcar project in Santa Ana, which has experienced significant cost overruns, now totaling $650 million since its inception in 2015. As of May 2025, the project was reported to be nearly 95% complete. The grand jury expressed concerns regarding the streetcar construction’s impact on local businesses, recommending the establishment of a business interruption fund to mitigate these effects.
Notably, the OCTA has secured state grants totaling $305 million designated for stabilization efforts along the coastal rail corridor. The emergency actions undertaken aim to safeguard the existing infrastructure from further erosion and disruptions, ensuring the continuity of vital rail services in the region.
Future stabilization proposals include constructing a permanent catchment wall and the installation of sand and riprap along vulnerable shoreline areas. As part of these efforts, OCTA has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to source contractors capable of quickly dredging and transporting sand for replenishment.
The completion of these emergency projects is aimed at restoring and maintaining safe rail service while adhering to environmental regulations, indicating a proactive approach in addressing the challenges faced by the San Clemente rail corridor.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
San Clemente Coastal Rail Line Under Emergency Repairs
Emergency Rail Service Suspension in San Clemente
Additional Resources
- Mass Transit Magazine: OCTA Provides Update on San Clemente Rail Closure
- Orange County Register: Grand Jury Scrutinizes OCTA’s Streetcar Repairs
- RT&S: OCTA Submits Emergency Coastal Development Permit
- KTLA: San Clemente Rail Service Resumes
- Transportation Today: OCTA to Hold Meetings on Coastal Rail Resiliency Study
- Wikipedia: San Clemente, California
- Google Search: San Clemente rail closure
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Clemente
- Google News: OCTA San Clemente
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
