Overview

As a part of Coastal Rail Resiliency Study, OCTA completed an Initial Assessment that identified four areas requiring immediate action to ensure safe and uninterrupted rail operations through San Clemente. 

Emergency action is necessary to address urgent threats from slope and beach erosion and to protect the community, rail passengers and overall rail operations. OCTA is taking the following action and implementing a comprehensive approach to protecting the rail line:

• OCTA issued a request for information for contractors to provide dredging and transport options to expedite the sand placement component of the projects. OCTA expects to place approximately 540,000 cubic yards of sand.
• On April 14, the OCTA Board is expected to consider an action that will authorize the CEO to enter into emergency contracting agreements to expedite work on the four Coastal Rail Stabilization Priority Projects. The board action, if approved, would allow OCTA to:
• Issue an emergency design-build procurement to include for construction of a catchment wall along Mariposa Point, which is planned to include the restoration of San Clemente’s popular pedestrian trail, and to build a revetment, seawall or functionally equivalent structure south of San Clemente State Beach.
• Direct Metrolink to repair and replace existing riprap, limiting the amount to only what’s necessary to protect the track, estimated at 6,500 cubic yards.

The emergency projects are independent from the Coastal Rail Resiliency Study and are anticipated to move into construction as early as April 2025. Each project activity will occur on a different timeline based on complexity and availability of contractors and materials. More information is available in the Frequently Asked Questions.

Funding

OCTA has been awarded $305 million for the projects through state and federal grants. The funding includes:

• California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) awarded $125 million to OCTA through the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP)
• Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) awarded $100 million in funding from its Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program.
• California Transportation Commission awarded OCTA $80 million from the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP)