Initial sand nourishment is part of larger reinforcement efforts to safeguard rail service through south Orange County
ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority reached completion on its initial beach nourishment project at North Beach in San Clemente, continuing broader efforts to protect the rail line from erosion and unstable coastal bluffs.
As emergency reinforcement efforts continue, construction crews led by OCTA also began work Monday just south of the sand-nourishment project on restoring the pedestrian beach trail and building a 1,400-foot catchment wall, protecting the rail line from potential sliding on the bluffs.
“This highly anticipated catchment wall reflects the kind of forward-thinking collaboration we need as we address the real impacts of coastal erosion,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley. “By reinforcing the shoreline and protecting the rail line, we continue preserving our critical infrastructure, while safeguarding access to public transportation, commerce, and our iconic beaches for the future.”
Over the last 10 days, crews placed sand along more than a quarter-mile of shoreline to help buffer the tracks from waves and improve resilience against erosion. Work at North Beach, which began Sept. 5, wrapped up Monday morning as crews removed temporary construction fencing and restored permanent fencing between the tracks and the improved sand.
Based on an updated final pre-construction survey required just before work began, OCTA ultimately placed approximately 2,500 cubic yards of sand. The change from original projections of approximately 3,200 cubic yards reflects the strict permit requirements limiting nourishment to areas above the mean high tide line, as well as dynamic beach and environmental conditions.
The sand, hauled from Palm Springs and approved through rigorous environmental review, has been placed to a natural berm elevation and is serving its intended purpose.
This emergency nourishment is the first step in OCTA’s plan to place approximately 540,000 cubic yards of sand along San Clemente’s beaches. The catchment wall, along with an adjacent pedestrian path, is expected to be completed by next summer. OCTA remains committed to advancing sand nourishment and other protective measures to stabilize the coastal rail line and safeguard passenger and freight rail service along the LOSSAN corridor.
