Amtrak suspends San Diego-Los Angeles service due to shifting ground

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported Friday that service has been suspended indefinitely in the community of San Clemente, on the border of Orange and San Diego counties.

The move comes after a recent ocean surge associated with Tropical Storm Kay caused high tides and waves that shifted the coastal tracks. The tracks serve as the only viable link that connects San Diego with LA and the rest of the country, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Last year, the community faced a similar problem, and officials shut the tracks down for two weeks. Workers brought in additional boulders to help shore up the coastline, which has been eroding amid the ongoing global climate crisis.

The Orange County Transportation Authority, which owns the tracks, planned to hold a special meeting Monday to discuss potential solutions.

In an email to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Metrolink spokesperson Scott Johnson said that the company has placed over 20,000 tons of rock and boulders along the tracks to secure the right of way.

Amtrak also said it is working to provide train service through a partner with connecting bus service to cover the route. According to Amtrak, train service between Oceanside and San Diego will resume next week with a bus bridge connecting Oceanside and Irvine.