A landslide brought rail service to a stop Monday in southern Orange County for the second time this year.
Tracks used by Metrolink and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains were closed between San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. The stretch of track was being inspected after what appeared to be another landslide on a hillside above the tracks near the Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens.
Dirt also appeared to pile up behind a multi-story apartment complex.
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Walter Switzer said he noticed the hillside give way at about 7:30 a.m.
"I just saw the crack from the original smaller crack," Switzer said.
Over the next hour, more cracks developed, and boulders and dirt tumbled down the hillside.
It was unclear how long the tracks will be closed.
Amtrak provided bus service for the route. Metrolink is providing buses or Uber vouchers for riders on Monday. Starting Tuesday, there will be no Metrolink service available south of the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo station during the suspension, Johnson said.
Tracks in the area had been closed for about a month starting in late April due to the unstable hillside, but reopened May 27. Casa Romantica was also closed due to damage on its terrace caused by the landslide, but partially reopened on May 25.
San Clemente Mayor Chris Duncan said crews had been trying to stabilize and reinforce the hillside since the last slide.
"I think what you see is that this material on this hillside is sandy, it's a clay material it doesn't stick well together," Duncan said. "It wants to slide and it's smooth.
"We may need to remove that material and get some other material in there that better suited to be on a hillside and not likely to move in the future."
The property is owned by the city.
A spokesperson for Casa Romantica said it will remain open.
