ORANGE, Calif. — The Metrolink and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner rail service through San Clemente will be temporarily halted for the next six weeks starting today due to urgent track stabilization needed to prevent landslides and coastal erosion.

Orange County Transportation Authority officials said the emergency work focuses on vulnerable areas in San Clemente along the Los Angeles — San Diego — San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor.

Engineering analysis identified that recent storms and landslides have already caused significant damage, OCTA officials said.

“This temporary closure allows our teams to safely carry out urgent reinforcement work to protect rail passengers, freight operations and public safety,” said OCTA and Metrolink Chair Doug Chaffee, also Orange County’s Fourth District Supervisor, in a news release. “While we recognize the inconvenience, this action is necessary to preserve the long-term integrity of this vital rail link.”

OCTA officials said the temporary closure impacts Metrolink’s Orange County and Inland Empire-Orange County lines, as well as Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner trains.

OCTA officials added that Metrolink will continue to operate trains traveling southbound as far as the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo station during construction.

Meanwhile, the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner will continue to operate modified service between San Luis Obispo and San Juan Capistrano, as well as between Oceanside and Downtown San Diego.

Metrolink and Amtrak passengers can check metrolinktrains.com/service-updates and www.pacificsurfliner.com/alerts for schedule information and updates.

Visit www.octa.net/RailEmergency to stay up-to-date.