CHSRA Completes Avenue 56 Grade Separation
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
Avenue 56 Grade Separation.
Courtesy of CHSRA.
TULARE COUNTY, Calif. - The California High-Speed Rail Authority has completed the Avenue 56 grade separation, making it the first high-speed rail structure completed in Tulare County.
According to the release from CHSRA, the overpass was hit by atmospheric rivers in March 2023. As part of the emergency response, CHSRA worked with emergency personnel to “build up berms to divert water and prevent flooding in the area, and for community members to utilize as an emergency access road.” Crews transported more than 114,000 cubic yards of dirt to build the berms.
The overpass functions as a grade separation to transport traffic over the future high-speed rail line. According to CHSRA, the structure consists of 12 pre-cast concrete girders, 161,795 pounds of steel, and 850 cubic yards of concrete. It measures 35 feet wide by 219 feet long. Crews continue to work on the California high-speed rail project and have also completed four grade separations located in Kings County and Fresno County.
Authority Central Valley Regional Director Garth Fernandez said, “To ensure the surrounding communities were safe and had access to vacate if needed during the heavy rains in 2023, the Authority and our contractor worked cooperatively with local agencies and emergency services. We are delivering the nation’s first high-speed rail system and there are opportunities during construction to also help address the needs of the local community.”
