San Clemente landslide sends boulders onto tracks, stalling passenger train service

Amtrak and Metrolink service was suspended in Orange County Wednesday after a landslide in San Clemente sent boulders and falling debris onto the train tracks below.

The debris slide happened at the Mariposa pedestrian and bike bridge, according to Orange County District 5 Supervisor Katrina Foley.

Around 5:15 p.m., Amtrak announced delays would be expected between Los Angeles and San Diego on its Pacific Surfliner trains.

By 6 p.m., Amtrak said it would be temporarily suspending all service between Irvine and Oceanside due to the “unforeseen track closure.” A bus bridge was deployed to help stranded passengers get to their destinations.

Metrolink’s Orange County Line and its Inland Empire-Orange County Line were both affected by the closure. Some riders affected by the closure may be eligible for an Uber voucher worth up to $50, Metrolink said.

Foley, who also serves as director of the Orange County Transit Authority, released a statement Wednesday in which she called said the landslide a product of “decades of climate change denial.”

“To protect our local economy and way of life, we cannot afford for these disruptive service suspensions to continue on a yearly basis,” Foley said. “I remain committed to working with our partners to clean up and monitor this situation, but more importantly, find solutions for rail stability.”

She said the Mariposa pedestrian bridge itself is owned by the city of San Clemente, but exists within OCTA’s rail right-of-way. OCTA in turn leases it back to the city for the coastal trail.

The bridge has been closed to pedestrians for two weeks because of the slumping hillside.

Foley added that a timeline for emergency repairs was unclear at this time.