Subject
title
Update on Emergency Coastal Railroad Protection, Including Reinforcement Area 4 Shoreline Protection and Sand Placement at Reinforcement Areas 1, 2, and 4
overview
Overview
The coastal railroad in the City of San Clemente continues to experience beach loss, erosion of the railroad embankment, deterioration of existing rock protection, and increased exposure to wave attack. Conditions are most urgent at Reinforcement Area 4, in the vicinity of Mile Posts 206.00 to 206.70, where portions of the railroad embankment are exposed and existing rock protection is minimal or absent. Recent Pacific storm and hurricane activity have accelerated erosion, while sand placement at Reinforcement Areas 1, 2, and 4 is needed to restore a beach buffer and reduce wave energy reaching the railroad. These conditions continue to pose an immediate threat to railroad infrastructure and passenger and freight rail service. Protective measures remain necessary before additional high-wave and winter storm events, which may be intensified by forecasted El Niño conditions.
recommendation
Recommendation(s)
Reaffirm Resolution No. 2026-075 and determine, pursuant to Public Contract Code Section 22050, that the emergency conditions continue to exist and that there is a need to continue the actions authorized by the Board of Directors without competitive bidding. Authorize the Chief Executive Officer to continue to take all necessary actions to procure and construct an engineered shoreline protection structure at Reinforcement Area 4, in the vicinity of Mile Posts 206.00 to 206.70, including repair and placement of riprap and related work necessary to protect the railroad embankment, and to procure, transport, and place beach-compatible sand at Reinforcement Areas 1, 2, and 4, subject to final design, sand-source availability, environmental clearances, permits, and field conditions on the Orange Subdivision, and direct staff to return to the Board of Directors to report on the status of the emergency actions as required by Public Contract Code Section 22050.