OCTA Announces Completion of Track Stabilization Project, Resumed Rail Service

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

After months of work to stabilize the train track in south San Clemente that saw delays because of heavy rainfall in the early months of 2023, full passenger rail service will resume between South Orange County and San Diego County starting on Monday, April 17, according to the Orange County Transportation Authority.

Metrolink will restart all regular service to and from Oceanside through San Clemente, as will Amtrak with its Pacific Surfliner line, concluding OCTA’s nearly 6½-month project to stabilize the rail line after movement was detected following a storm surge this past fall. During the construction project, Metrolink traveled as far south as the

It’s not just memorization; it’s practical.”

Numerous factors contributed to the school’s acceptance into the project, according to Breslin. The funding left over from what would’ve been used for the abalone project combined with the support from Principal Chris Carter and other school officials, the Rainbow Sandals Foundation, and grant money provided by Caruso, turned the exclusive experience into reality.

Breslin expressed gratitude for Carter’s involvement.

“Sciences cost a lot more money (than other subjects),” Breslin said. “We have sharks and perch and clams that we dissect, so all that costs a lot of money with all our anatomy, but (Carter’s) been really phenomenal about helping us and making sure we can do the projects we want to do.”

Tabor said that the reasons for the HWSRI’s limited number of participants include the high costs that come with the project and the organization’s approach to expanding the program as it ensures its capacity to be involved. The institute has a “slow growth mentality,” he said. All five of Breslin’s Marine Science classes will participate in raising the sea bass. The number of students alone is a testament to the campus’ growing interest in the field, especially with its proximity to the ocean and the number of students who either surf or enjoy being near the water in general.

Breslin added that partnerships with the San Clemente Ocean Festival or the Ocean Institute in Dana Point all contribute to the varying learning opportunities her students and those in other marine science classes receive.

“Over the years, it’s really been a community thing, and I feel like when we have other organizations and (create hands-on activities), it really sparks their excitement,” she said. “I can only do so much PowerPoint and lecture stuff. It’s fine, but there’s nothing like touching it and being out there. It’s 4-D.”

Caruso expects the fish to be ready for release by around May 28, at which point the students will release the sea bass at the Ocean Institute.

San Clemente Pier, suspending services to Oceanside. Amtrak’s southbound lines took passengers as far as San Juan Capistrano while offering a connector bus between the Irvine and Oceanside stations.

OCTA Board Chair Gene Hernandez said the agency appreciated the public’s patience as it prioritized passenger safety with the rail suspension, according to a media release.

“This emergency work has posed an unprecedented challenge, especially with the heavy rainfall this season, and we’re very pleased to announce that passenger service can safely resume on this key stretch of Southern California rail,” said Hernandez.

On Sept. 30, 2022, Metrolink and Amtrak announced an indefinite suspension after movement was detected on the track. Just over a month later, the OCTA Board of Directors issued an emergency need for stabilization before contracting with Condon-Johnson and Associates for the $12 million construction project.

Work to prevent the line from moving

(Cont. on page 4)

(Cont. from page 3) closer to the shore began in November, as crews drove large metal anchors into roughly 700 feet of slope adjacent to the track.

Limited weekend service to San Diego County resumed on Feb. 4 following the completion of emergency stabilization.

Larry McCallon, chair of the Metrolink Board of Directors, expressed excitement about the return of services and gratitude toward OCTA for its work.

“I know the residents of the Inland Empire are looking forward to again taking the train to the beach,” said McCallon. “I encourage everyone to return to using our rail service to and from the beach areas as the nice weather returns to Southern California.”

OCTA officials reported at the board’s meeting on Monday, April 10, that the construction was effective in stopping all track movement, and that crews will finish installing the second row of grade beam panels and tiebacks into a nearby hillside later this week.

A representative of the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency (LOSSAN) also provided comment.

“The reopening of the tracks in San Clemente restores vital intercity rail connections between San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo,” said Managing Director Jason

San Clemente High Dance Team Celebrates National Title

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

The San Clemente High School Dance Team came back from Anaheim in late March with a national title, validating eight months of extensive practice, adjustments, and performances.

At the United Spirit Association Dance Nationals, which took place March 2223, the team earned first place in the Novelty and Musical Theater division. Competing in the hard-to-crack final stages for the Small Lyrical division, the team placed fourth.

Their Medium Lyrical group placed fifth, and the Small Dance team placed sixth.

Head coach Kelley Brown said the entire experience was special for all the teams that performed at nationals, including hers, which performed at the Anaheim Convention Center for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic

Jewell. “We thank our customers for their patience during this extended construction period and look forward to welcoming them back next week.”

Other recent developments concerning the track in San Clemente include OCTA staff presenting a framework to seek funding for supporting continued railroad usage and the board’s vote to initiate a $2 million study of the nearly 7-mile stretch of rail from Dana Point south to unincorporated parts of northern San Diego County.

The South Coast Rail Infrastructure Feasibility Study and Alternative Concepts Analysis would prioritize future planning efforts and identify shortand medium-term solutions to protect the track that abuts the ever-encroaching shoreline.

Katrina Foley, Fifth District Board Supervisor of Orange County and an OCTA board member, said in a media release in March that she looks forward to meeting with stakeholders to help develop solutions.

“We must look past temporary fixes,” said Foley. “This rail corridor study and concurrent sand replenishment efforts are necessary steps towards identifying and implementing long-term solutions to prevent further coastal erosion and its impacts on our way of life.”

Additionally, Rep. Mike Levin announced on Tuesday, April 11, that he will hold a press conference at noon at San Clemente State Beach on Thursday,

April 13, to discuss the impact of coastal erosion on the LOSSAN corridor.

The briefing will be the second of the day, as Levin will travel north from San Diego with U.S. Federal Railroad Administration representative Amit began.

Metrolink and Amtrak passengers should check metrolinktrains.com and pacificsurfliner.com/alerts for service updates.

“First, it was extremely exciting to be in the huge arena, performing your pieces that you’ve been (doing) in high school gyms all season, (to now) where you have just a huge audience … you’re allowed to have your friends and family be there the whole time,” said Brown. “It was a huge moment, I think, just in general, to have people there in a huge area and no masks and that kind of stuff.”

She described the feeling of waiting to hear the team’s name called as full of anticipation, nerves, and excitement, with the dancers hoping to have their preparation pay off.

The team practices four days each week for a total of 15 hours, and Brown and assistant coach Savannah Hooks also work on instilling mental preparation. After all of that, and getting to show off their routines where everyone can watch, Brown said it was nerve-wracking but a powerful experience.

“Shoeless Joe” was their championship-winning performance, based on the baseball-themed 1955 musical Damn Yankees

Brown said the team learned the routine along with all the others at the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, first performed it at their winter showcase in December, and spent the months from August through competition season “cleaning” or adjusting the performance and making necessary tweaks.

Cleaning is the hardest part, as the coaches constantly analyze each section of each dance to make sure their dancers are properly performing the routine and adapting based off competition judges’ feedback.

“The girls are also excited about new aspects of the dance, so it keeps growing, and they’re able to grow within the piece itself,” said Brown. “The dance is never the same from week to week during competition season.”

Through all the development and adjustments, the routine changed 60% from when the team first performed it in December, she added.

Despite the stress of the season, Brown’s favorite part is the cleaning process and determining how that year’s team can keep improving. Her partnership with Hooks has been beneficial, and they also speak with the team captains to get their input.

“I think it’s so important for me to teach the girls that everything is always moving and always changing and always developing, so I truly enjoy the process so much,” she said.

Brown complimented the team’s variety in skills, ability to help each other and the work they put into pushing each member to reach their full potential.

The whole team performed during the “Shoeless Joe” piece, which she called special, as most teams don’t get to experience the moment they did.

“A lot of times, teams win in their smaller specialty routines,” she said. “Not the entire team gets to experience that excitement and joy in accomplishing a national title all together.”

With the high school recently on spring break, they all got much-needed rest before preparing for their upcoming Spring Dance Concert on April 21-22.

Going forward, the team will get to have more fun as the coaches will add new dances for the recital.

“Now, it’s not really about competing and pushing; it’s a different type of push,” Brown said, adding: “They get to just perform their hearts out for their family.”

CLASS A OFFICE FOR LEASEMOVE-IN READY SUITES AVAILABLE NOW!

• Conference Center

• Tenant Lounge

• Fitness Facility

• On-site Property Management

• Structured & Surface Parking

CONTACT+1 949.725.8500

ALLISON KELLY Lic. 01417664 allison.kelly@cbre.com

JUSTIN HILL Lic. 01424426 justin.hill@cbre.com

SIMON DILLON Lic. 01010564 simon.dillon@cbre.com

REID WEAVER Lic. 01995422 reid.weaver@cbre.com

27101 & 27201 PUERTA REAL MISSION VIEJO CA