Metrolink Suspends Service Between South OC, North San Diego Indefinitely

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Featured Image: Construction crews in October 2021 drop riprap on the sea side of the railroad track in south San Clemente. Photo: Fred Swegles

By Shawn Raymundo

Metrolink’s train service between the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Station and Oceanside station will be suspended until further notice beginning Friday, Oct. 30, the agency announced late Thursday afternoon, Sept. 29.

The suspension of service comes after Metrolink reported movement on the rail line in south San Clemente earlier this month. Metrolink said in its announcement that there has been continued movement on the right of way.

“Working with geologists, geotechnical engineers, and surveyors, we have determined to ensure passenger safety service suspension is necessary,” Metrolink said. “Until we have confirmation from the experts the slope movement has stopped, we will not resume Metrolink service.”

Metrolink had suspended service in the same area a year ago so crews could stabilize the portion of the tracks that sits at the bottom of a bluff—where strong waves routinely crash, leaving the railroad vulnerable to movement.

Scott Johnson, Metrolink’s director of communications, told the Orange County Register last week that Metrolink recently placed more than 1,600 tons of large boulders, referred to as rip rap, to help stabilize the track.

According to Metrolink, Orange County Line trains traveling from the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo station and Los Angeles Union Station “will operate as scheduled.” As for the Inland Empire-Orange County Line, all of those trains will continue to run as scheduled between Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and San Bernardino.

Metrolink noted that there’s “no alternative transportation to or from San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente or Oceanside.”

This is a developing story.

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