Train services in a section of Orange County faced a temporary suspension following a landslide near San Clemente, prompting officials to assess the extent of the damage.

Officials from Orange County MetroLink reported the hillside incident just before 5 p.m. on Wednesday. The Orange County Transportation Authority revealed that boulders and debris had fallen onto the tracks, causing damage to the Mariposa pedestrian and bike bridge.

Suspension Details

The impact of the landslide has resulted in the suspension of all rail services between the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Station and Oceancide. While Metrolink is actively engaged in repair efforts, no specific timeline for the potential reopening of the affected tracks has been provided.

Passenger Assistance

Metrolink acknowledged the closure’s inconvenience and, although alternative options during the suspension were not offered, the official Metrolink OC account on X shared information about affected passengers being eligible for a $50 Uber credit. Further details on this can be obtained on Metrolink’s website.

Climate Change Concerns

Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, also the Director of the Orange County Transportation Authority, attributed the rail line issues to climate change denial. She expressed concern about the repeated closures and linked them to decades of neglecting climate change.

“With less than one month into the new year, the railroad tracks in South County are already closed due to a landslide in San Clemente,” Foley stated. “Decades of climate change denial leaves Orange County behind in a race between us and Mother Earth.”

Historical Disruptions

This recent landslide adds to a series of disruptions faced by the rail service in the area. In the past summer, rail services were suspended due to landslides near the Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens. The initial disruption occurred in April, and shortly after service resumed in June, another landslide halted the tracks once again.

Addressing Persistent Disruptions

The recurring disruptions to rail services in Orange County highlight the urgent need for proactive measures to address the impact of natural events. Climate change concerns and the increasing frequency of landslides underscore the importance of long-term solutions to protect local economies and ensure the stability of transportation infrastructure.