ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Today, Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, who serves on the OC Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors, released an update on the emergency rail stabilization efforts at Mariposa Point in San Clemente.
The OCTA and Metrolink crews along with contractor Condon-Johnson and Associates, began construction of a catchment wall yesterday to protect the rail tracks at Mariposa Point from threats of the sliding slope.
“This 200-foot catchment wall 15 feet above the ground will catch falling debris and ultimately resume passenger service,” said Supervisor Foley. “Each rail service suspension disrupts daily commutes, commerce, transportation, all the way to our national security efforts.”
“Over the past two years, the Orange County Transportation Authority has spent $35 million hard armoring the bluffs and coast along this 7-mile stretch with rip rap, sand cubes, rock walls, and revetments because it is threatening our railroad tracks. This reactive approach is far too expensive. We must prepare for long-term rail stabilization solutions to avoid future threats to our rail corridor,” added Supervisor Foley.
(Photos courtesy of OCTA)
This month, OCTA secured $7.2 million from the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to build the catchment wall. The wall is expected to stand between 10 and 15 feet above ground, approximately 200 feet in length, supported by steel beams that crews will place 30 feet below ground. Two large rigs began drilling today to subsequently place steel beams that will serve as the foundation for the catchment wall.
BNSF freight traffic remains halted through the area because of continued hillside soil movement. The hillside and project are monitored hourly, and the team is working toward allowing freight trains to safely travel through the area as quickly as possible.
The wall is anticipated to be completed in mid-March, which will be followed by necessary track repairs. Regular passenger rail service may begin as early as late March or early April. The schedule is subject to change.
The project area includes several challenging elements that may affect the construction schedule, including a large sewer trunk line, a major reclaimed water line and a fiber communications trunk line that service San Clemente and the region.
For the latest updates and background, visit octa.net/railupdates.
Metrolink and Amtrak will continue to provide passengers with the latest information at metrolinktrains.com/service-update and pacificsurfliner.com/alerts.
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Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.
Supervisor Foley’s Board appointments include the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), OCFA Legislation & Public Affairs Committee Chair, Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), OCTA Legislative and Communications Committee Vice Chair, Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA), TCA Joint Environmental Committee, Coastal Greenbelt Authority, Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees, Ocean Institute, San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) Community Engagement Panel, Spent Fuel Solutions Coalition Co-Chair, Orange County Housing Finance Trust Chair, and the Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council.
