New Burbank overpass eliminates street level rail crossing

Written by dclark
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A ribbon cutting was held Tuesday for a project that elevated two miles of Metrolink, Amtrak and freight tracks in Burbank, Calif. eliminating a street level crossing at Buena Vista Street and San Fernando Road.

 

The project is part of the I-5 North Improvement/Empire Project. Metro Board Member Ara Najarian and officials from Caltrans, Metrolink and Burbank officials celebrated the opening.

Metro, Caltrans and the Federal Highway Administration funded the $355-million project. It is expected to help ease traffic congestion and provide better access to the Burbank Airport and surrounding communities.

The overpass will improve rail operations for Metrolink, Amtrak and freight trains. It will also enhance the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists at Buena Vista and San Fernando Boulevard, where fatal train-vehicle incidents have occurred.

In addition to constructing a new interchange at Empire Avenue, the project will reconstruct the Burbank Boulevard-I-5 overpass, realign ramps and construct an auxiliary lane on the freeway between Burbank Boulevard and Empire Avenue.

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