LOS ANGELES, CA – Metrolink will suspend Orange County Line service south of the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo station from Monday, Oct. 26, through Friday, Oct. 30, because of forecast high tides along the South Orange County coast, the agency announced.
During the suspension, OC Line trains will operate only between Los Angeles Union Station and the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo station, Metrolink said in a news release dated Oct. 22. The segment that will not operate runs between Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Oceanside.
The San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente and Oceanside stations will have no OC Line service while the suspension is in effect.
Metrolink said it is not offering replacement bus service for the suspended segment. Weekend operations are expected to continue.
Service limited to Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo
Metrolink said ending OC Line runs at Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo helps maintain a more predictable schedule across its system. The agency said the change also reduces congestion on a corridor that Amtrak Pacific Surfliner and freight trains share.
According to initial reports, six weekday OC Line trips currently run south of Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo, three in each direction. Those trips are the ones affected by the suspension.
Riders are being told to check Metrolink’s website for current service information. Pacific Surfliner passengers are being directed to Amtrak’s website.
Metrolink cites forecast high tides
Metrolink said the suspension is intended to limit the chance that passengers face widespread delays and cancellations if coastal conditions disrupt the track along the shoreline. The agency framed the move as a way to keep service more predictable rather than a response to damage that has already occurred this week.
The agency said it will inspect the track frequently while the tides are high. It will also stage crews and equipment nearby so they can respond to damage to the infrastructure.
Same stretch damaged in September
The beachfront track near San Clemente was damaged in September when waves overtopped the rails and eroded the slope. The damage forced emergency repairs and temporary suspensions of Metrolink, Amtrak and freight service.
The Orange County Transportation Authority board declared an emergency on Sept. 28 to speed up shoreline protection for the corridor. Environmental review and permits are still required for that work.
According to initial reports, Metrolink also suspended service between Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Oceanside during earlier high-tide periods in August and on Sept. 7.
Pacific Surfliner advisory runs through Oct. 27
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner is expected to keep operating through the area where conditions are safe. The Pacific Surfliner travel advisories page lists a service delay between San Clemente and Oceanside for Oct. 20 through Oct. 27.
The advisory says that “due to signal issues and weather conditions, Pacific Surfliner trains traveling between San Clemente Pier and Oceanside may experience delays of approximately 30 minutes.” The advisory does not mention high tides.
Tides forecast through Oct. 28
King tides are forecast for Oct. 26 through Oct. 28 along the Orange County coast. The National Weather Service in San Diego issued beach hazards and coastal flood statements for Orange County coastal areas earlier in October. Those products cited high tides near 7 feet and elevated surf.
The beach hazards statement the weather service issued in the days before the suspension expired at 11 p.m. Oct. 20.
Newport Beach declares local emergency
The City of Newport Beach declared a local emergency ahead of the king tides and activated its Emergency Operations Center. The city’s flood preparedness page covers unusually high tides expected in October, November and December.
The page says that “recently observed water levels have been approximately 22 inches (or more) above predicted astronomical tides.” City officials have said recent water levels have run roughly 18 to 22 inches above predictions.
Newport Beach is reinforcing sand berms and inspecting storm drains, tidal valves and pumps. The city also offers free prefilled sandbags at the Corporation Yard at 592 Superior Ave., Marina Park at 1600 W. Balboa Blvd. and temporary Fire Station No. 1 in the East Ocean Front parking lot near Balboa Pier.
Empty sandbags are available at city fire stations and at Lifeguard Headquarters at 70 Newport Pier. The City Council also approved a contract to place about 100,000 cubic yards of sand on eroded beaches between 36th and 62nd streets.
Weekend service expected to continue
Metrolink said weekend operations on the OC Line are not expected to be affected, so the suspension is scheduled to cover only the Monday through Friday window. Additional king tide events are expected through the new year, according to initial reports.
The agency has not announced any changes to OC Line service beyond Friday, Oct. 30.
