Caltrans issues emergency declaration after Orange County landslide

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) last week issued an emergency declaration after a recent landslide in San Clemente halted service on a portion of the nation’s second-busiest intercity rail corridor. 

Signed by Caltrans Director Tony Tavares, the declaration allows the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) — which owns the rail line — to access up to $10 million in immediate emergency repair funding from the California Transportation Commission. The declaration calls for immediate work and remedial measures to repair and restore track damaged by the landslide, which occurred Jan. 24.

The landslide affects Amtrak service along the Pacific Surfliner route and local Metrolink commuter-rail services. OCTA and Metrolink have begun significant grading and excavating work in the area near the Mariposa Pedestrian Bridge, although the slope remains unstable and there is no current estimate for when passenger service will resume, OCTA officials said in a news release.

Freight trains have used the rail at reduced speeds of 10 mph during late night hours when crews aren’t working. Currently, passenger trains are stopped between the San Juan Capistrano and Oceanside stations and riders are being bused between the two.