An Update on Rail Service in San Clemente, the Dana Point Harbor Revitalization and Women Making a Difference in OC
As you may already know, rail service in San Clemente halted last month due to slope movement beneath the Mariposa Bike and Pedestrian Bridge. Since then, OCTA, Metrolink, and my fellow elected leaders continue to work toward resuming rail service while exploring long-term solutions for rail stabilization.
A day after rail service was suspended, I joined Congressman Mike Levin, Senator Catherine Blakespear, San Clemente Councilmember Chris Duncan, California environmental leaders and fellow local leaders to visit Mariposa Bridge and discuss options for rail stabilization work in the region.
To address the immediate threat of the sliding slope, OCTA quickly secured $2 million from the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to clean up the debris and mud from the tracks. OCTA then secured an additional $7.2 million in funds from the CTC to build a catchment wall.
We expect construction of the wall to begin this week and continue for approximately one month. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, including weekends, with the schedule subject to change due to inclement weather or unforeseen operational issues. Residents should know this work may be loud, and train horns may be sounded.
Drill rigs, additional equipment, and materials were brought to the North Beach parking lot and the San Clemente Pedestrian Beach Trail. While this area remains fenced off, beach access is maintained near Lifeguard Tower 14 for equipment and material staging. We appreciate residents’ cooperation and patience as we work toward completing emergency stabilization work and resume rail service.
This month, I joined the Dana Point Harbor Partners and the City of Dana Point to celebrate the Dana Point Harbor Construction Commencement Groundbreaking! After nearly 27 years of brainstorming, community engagement, and thoughtful planning, we kicked off commercial core construction of the Dana Point Harbor Revitalization.
Since 2023, Dana Point Harbor Partners and the county have brought online four new marinas and kick-started our commercial core renovations through hard work and collaboration to see this vital project through. I’m so grateful for the hard work done by county staff, the Partners, and the diligence of our Dana Point Harbor Oversight Advisory Committee.
My office continues our collaboration with the Coastal Commission to finalize details for the approval of proposed hotels. Significant progress has been made, with negotiations ongoing, including the allocation of fees paid by Dana Point Harbor Partners. I remain committed to advocating for the local utilization of these funds in the Dana Point Harbor, rather than their allocation to other coastal regions in California.
During this month’s meeting of the Dana Point Harbor Oversight Committee, we received updates on The Dock of the Orange Lantern. The Dock of the Orange Lantern is now open for business, with boats occupying new slips. The new innovative dock system incorporates MarineSync smart electric and water meters at each power pedestal, and tenants can monitor and control their usage through a portal. Read the full minutes at d5.ocgov.com/node/452.
Finally – Nominations are open for my third annual Women Making A Difference Awards! The national theme this year for Women’s History Month in March is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.”
As a lawyer and law firm owner, and the only woman on our County Board of Supervisors comprised of five lawyers, I understand the unique role of women lawyers breaking into professions traditionally dominated by men. For the 2024 Women’s History Month, we celebrate the women in our legal community who represent change and champion diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Nominees must live or work in the Fifth District. Members of the public may submit their nominations here: bit.ly/KF-WMD-2024. The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, March 1, 2024. All are welcome to join the celebration at my third annual Women Making A Difference Brunch on Saturday, March 30 at 10 a.m. at the Orange County Museum of Art in Costa Mesa: bit.ly/KF-WMDBrunch-2024.
Stay tuned for our latest updates by signing up for my weekly newsletter: d5.ocgov.com/newsletter.