UPDATE: Weekend rail services along the LOSSAN corridor from San Diego to Orange County have been halted due to critical repairs, affecting COASTER commuter runs and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains. The shutdowns, slated for January 10-11 and January 24-25, are part of a strategic plan to enhance infrastructure and ensure safety along this vital transportation route.
This urgent development is crucial for commuters and travelers who rely on these train services. The North County Transit District has confirmed that while regular services are suspended, test trains and construction equipment will still operate in the area. Riders are advised to prepare for disruptions and consider alternative transportation options.
During these closures, crews will focus on significant projects including the replacement of a deteriorating bridge at Batiquitos Lagoon in Carlsbad. This involves removing a wooden trestle built in the 1940s and installing a new concrete double-track bridge designed to enhance train capacity and improve tidal flow. These essential upgrades aim to prevent future service interruptions and boost operational efficiency.
In addition, work is underway on the Del Mar bluffs, part of an ongoing stabilization project that officials state is critical for protecting the rail alignment. This winter, teams are reinforcing the bluffs between Sixth Street and Coast Boulevard, ensuring the safety of the rail line against potential landslides.
Further challenges arise in San Clemente, where officials are combating recurring hillside failures that threaten rail service. New catchment walls and protective measures are being implemented to safeguard the tracks from slide incidents, which have previously caused significant disruptions.
As services remain paused, transit officials have arranged for bus shuttles to connect riders from Irvine to Oceanside, Solana Beach, and downtown San Diego. Notably, the Sprinter light-rail line between Oceanside and Escondido will continue to operate, although passengers should anticipate longer travel times on the following Mondays.
Looking ahead, these weekend shutdowns are part of a predetermined schedule of “absolute work windows,” with the next closure planned for February 21-22. Additional work windows are also scheduled for March and later in the year, allowing agencies to tackle necessary upgrades aimed at reducing chronic slow orders and enhancing capacity along the corridor.
Passengers and local residents are urged to stay informed about these developments, as they directly impact travel plans and community safety. The essential repairs being made now will pave the way for more reliable and efficient rail service in the future.
