Work to begin on Colton grade separation project near San Bernardino
Written by jrood
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said that a final agreement has been signed for a $33.8-million Recovery Act-funded project that will upgrade a train crossing and eliminate delays in the San Bernardino, Calif., area. As a result, work can now begin on the project, which will elevate two Union Pacific tracks over two BNSF main line tracks in Colton.
"Investments like this
$33.8 million for the San Bernardino area are at the heart of President Obama’s
efforts to create jobs and improve our nation’s transportation infrastructure,"
said Secretary LaHood. "This money will help to shorten the time needed
for goods to get to markets all over the world and improve safety for motorists
and train operators alike."
The grant is part of the
Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program included
in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to promote innovative,
multi-modal and multi-jurisdictional transportation projects that provide
significant economic and environmental benefits to an entire metropolitan area,
region or the nation.
In 2008, more than 110
trains – including Union Pacific, BNSF, Metrolink and Amtrak – passed through
the Colton Crossing daily, making it one of the nation’s busiest street-level
rail crossings.
Located about a quarter mile
east of Rancho Avenue, just south of I-10, the rail lines currently cross at street-level,
which inhibits trains’ movement through the area. The resulting idling of
trains affects local air quality and slows the movement of goods to and from
the nearby Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
"Given the economic
significance of this route in and out of the nation’s biggest ports, this
project will create jobs for hundreds of workers, reduce local traffic
congestion and greatly improve the quality of life for area residents,"
said Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez.
The U.S. Department of
Transportation announced the selection of $1.5 billion worth of TIGER grants
for 51 projects as part of the first anniversary of the Recovery Act on
February 17.
