Rail service has been stopped in Orange County due to ground movement near the tracks, officials said Thursday.
The temporary service suspension is linked to movement near a cliffside in San Clemente and affects Amtrak and Metrolink customers who are traveling south toward San Diego.
"This is a major rail corridor for Southern California," Metrolink Public Affairs Manager Paul Gonzales said, adding that neither trains nor passengers were in danger as a result of the ground movement.
"This is a step to make sure that our right of way remains safe and we're gonna take all necessary steps to ensure that."
Gonzales said 43 Metrolink passenger trains run the route every day. All will be paused as crews assess the movement of the tracks and fix as needed to make sure the route between Orange and San Diego Counties is safe.
METROLINK
During the work, no Metrolink service will be available south of Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo. That will take place from Sept. 16 through Oct. 4, unless work is completed earlier than expected, Metrolink said.
The work will affect both the Inland Empire-Orange County and the Orange County lines. Alternate bus transportation will not be provided by Metrolink to or from the San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente or Oceanside stations.
AMTRAK
Customers on Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner will face similar closures. The Surfliner will not operate south of Irvine from Sept. 16 to Sept. 19. In addition, no trains will operate between Irvine and Oceanside stations from Sept. 20 to Oct. 3.
Amtrak said it will provide alternate transportation for customers.
“Bus connections will be provided between Irvine and Oceanside, with reduced train service resuming between Oceanside and San Diego,” Amtrak said in a statement. “Regular Pacific Surfliner service should resume no later than Monday, Oct. 4.
For a full list of Amtrack closures and how it affects your travel plans, click here.