UPDATE: Major rail blackouts are affecting the LOSSAN corridor from San Diego to Orange County this January, disrupting all COASTER and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner services. This urgent development, confirmed by the North County Transit District, will see train services halted during scheduled weekend closures on January 10-11 and January 24-25.
These temporary shutdowns are essential for crews to perform critical maintenance and repairs, including stabilizing the Del Mar bluffs and replacing an aging bridge at Batiquitos Lagoon in Carlsbad. The work is aimed at protecting the railway and ensuring safe transit for passengers in the future.
During these closures, Amtrak trains will turn back at Irvine, with bus shuttles provided to connect riders to Oceanside, Solana Beach, and downtown San Diego. Authorities warn that while regular passenger trains are halted, test trains and construction equipment may still be on the tracks.
At Batiquitos Lagoon, crews are replacing a wooden trestle built in the 1940s with a modern concrete double-track bridge. This upgrade includes an additional 0.6 miles of track to allow for improved traffic flow along the busy LOSSAN line. Meanwhile, ongoing bluff stabilization work in Del Mar aims to safeguard the rail alignment from ongoing erosion issues.
In San Clemente, officials are addressing recurring hillside failures that threaten rail service. New catchment walls and protections are being installed to combat slope issues, which have previously caused service interruptions.
The next scheduled weekend closure will take place on February 21-22, with more work windows anticipated later in the year. These planned disruptions are crucial for facilitating major upgrades that will enhance capacity and reduce delays along this vital transit corridor.
Passengers are being urged to plan ahead, expect longer travel times following the shutdowns, and adhere strictly to legal crossings while work continues.
With these ongoing efforts, transit officials aim to ensure a more reliable rail service for commuters and travelers alike. For further updates on travel plans and impacts, stay tuned as this story develops.
