Meetings ahead to discuss railway's protection plans along San Clemente

The first of two public meetings will be held this week to discuss how the Orange County Transportation Authority can protect its tracks through south Orange County coastal towns, where the ocean and sliding hillsides threaten the rail line.

The first will be a virtual meeting at 5 p.m. on April 11, hosted by the OCTA to discuss a study of trouble spots and near-term proposals to try and protect the tracks , while the second will happen in-person on May 30 at the San Clemente City Hall. The section of rail through south Orange County is part of the 351-mile rail corridor between San Luis Obispo and San Diego , touted as the second busiest passenger rail corridor in the nation.

The public feedback will inform the underway Coastal Rail Resiliency Study, which the transportation agency is leading, “and an initial assessment that identified sites along the coastal rail line recommended for monitoring and reinforcement,” OCTA officials said in an announcement of the two meetings.

The OCTA, which owns the tracks, has already heard resistance during recent “listening sessions” with local stakeholders and community groups to proposals that would include adding more rock boulders on the ocean side of the tracks, instead wanting more sand replenishment for the beaches.

The objective of the study, which covers 7 miles of coastline, is to “evaluate strategies to protect the railroad in place for up to 30 years and ensure uninterrupted rail operations while minimizing passenger and freight service disruptions.”

Landslides and damage to the tracks from waves has halted rail service multiple times over the last few years. Passenger serve resumed late last month after the latest damage from a landslide in January.

A separate long-term OCTA study will look at potential rail line relocation to an inland alignment between San Juan Capistrano and San Onofre State Beach, among other solutions.

On April 12, the California Coastal Commission will be considering an application from the Southern California Regional Rail Authority and OCTA to continued temporary authorization of development undertaken under an emergency permit for a 250-foot-long, 12-foot-high barrier wall put in following a landslide last year below the city’s historic Casa Romantica .

The two transportation agencies are also proposing to remove the barrier wall to 3 feet below grade after the city finishes its slope stabilization project on the Casa Romantica property above.

For the virtual OCTA meeting, go to bit.ly/CRRS-PublicMtg1 or call in at (669) 900-6833. The in-person meeting will be held at 5 p.m. May 30 at San Clemente City Hall, 910 Calle Negocio.

Connelly writes for the Orange County Register.

This story originally appeared in San Diego Union-Tribune .