High surf disrupts coastal highway and rail travel in Orange County

High surf and coastal erosion have closed two southbound Pacific Coast Highway lanes between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach and disrupted Pacific Surfliner service, according to Voice of OC. Highway traffic is sharing the northbound side while crews stabilize a cracked bluff.

The disruptions restrict coastal driving and passenger rail connections to Oceanside, with no replacement bus service for this week's train closure. Emergency shoreline protection efforts are moving forward, but additional sand is not projected to arrive until June, according to Voice of OC.

The highway restrictions cover the stretch between Reef Point Drive and Irvine Cove Drive. Both southbound lanes are closed, with the two northbound lanes carrying one lane of traffic in each direction, Voice of OC reported. Caltrans has not announced an expected reopening date.

The bluff crack appeared Oct. 13. Crews initially covered it with a plastic tarp to shield it from expected rain, according to Voice of OC. Stabilization work also involves smaller and larger rocks, which crews can place only at low tide.

The Pacific Surfliner closure affects service between Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Oceanside. Voice of OC reported that the shutdown began Monday and would continue until Friday because waves were overtopping the tracks. No connecting buses are being provided.

Strong surf over Memorial Day weekend previously shut the same rail corridor for a little over a week. Connecting buses were available during that disruption, according to Voice of OC.

The OCTA board voted to extend an emergency declaration originally issued in late September as the agency seeks additional sand. Voice of OC reported that current projections put sand delivery in June, after the anticipated end of the El Niño season. The agency also developed plans for a pipe-based structure to protect 1,400 feet beside the tracks and replace the riprap used to stabilize the shoreline.

The work comes as more severe coastal conditions remain a concern. According to Voice of OC, the National Weather Service predicts a high chance of a historic El Niño event before the end of the year.