UPDATE: Weekend rail blackouts are disrupting train services along the LOSSAN corridor from San Diego to southern Orange County for critical repairs. These closures, taking place on select weekends in January, are aimed at enhancing safety and capacity along this vital route.
Authorities confirm that the affected weekends include January 10-11 and January 24-25, with normal services expected to resume each following Monday morning. Transit officials emphasize that these “absolute work windows” are essential for major upgrades, making this a pressing issue for commuters and travelers alike.
During these shutdowns, the COASTER commuter trains and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner services will be suspended, along with BNSF freight traffic. Commuters will be diverted to bus shuttles connecting Oceanside, Solana Beach, and downtown San Diego. The Sprinter light-rail line will continue to operate, though passengers should prepare for longer travel times on the Mondays following each closure.
The need for these disruptions stems from extensive repairs at critical locations. At Batiquitos Lagoon in Carlsbad, crews are replacing a deteriorating wooden bridge built in the 1940s with a new concrete double-track bridge, which will also increase tidal flow beneath it. Meanwhile, in Del Mar, a multi-year bluff-stabilization project is underway to protect the rail alignment from erosion, which could jeopardize safety.
In San Clemente, ongoing hillside failures have prompted Orange County officials to implement temporary catchment features and longer track-protection walls at Mariposa Point. These measures are crucial to prevent further disruptions caused by landslides, which have previously halted service multiple times.
Residents and commuters are urged to stay informed about these developments as the January shutdowns are part of a pre-planned schedule of work windows, with the next closure set for February 21-22. Authorities are committed to completing these vital repairs to improve service reliability and enhance safety for all travelers.
This urgent message highlights the importance of maintaining and upgrading rail infrastructure to prevent future disruptions. As work crews tackle these significant repairs, officials remind the public to use only designated crossings and exercise caution, as construction equipment and test trains will remain active along the tracks.
Stay tuned for further updates on the progress of these repairs and how they will ultimately improve the commuting experience along the LOSSAN corridor.
