CHSRA Completes Belmont Avenue and Central Avenue Grade Separation Projects
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
Belmont Avenue Grade Separation
Courtesy of CHSRA
FRESNO, Calif. - The California High-Speed Rail Authority has completed the Belmont Avenue Grade Separation and Central Avenue Grade Separation Projects.
According to the CHSRA, the Belmont Avenue grade separation is a four-span bridge that takes traffic over the UPRR and high-speed rail tracks. The Central Avenue grade separation is an overcrossing measuring 432 feet long and more than 42 feet wide that takes traffic over BNSF tracks.
Belmont Avenue
Construction to open a grade separation at Belmont Avenue has completed, and the area is now open to vehicle traffic. The bridge measures 611 feet long and 62 feet wide. Below are two images of the completed separation, courtesy of CHSRA.
The completed grade separation provides benefits including reduced gas emissions, reduced noise from trains, and reduced traffic congestion.
Authority Central Valley Regional Director Garth Fernandez said, “Safety is the highest priority for the Authority, while in construction and for our future operations. The Belmont Avenue grade separation is yet another example of the Authority’s investment in the opportunity to enhance safety and connectivity for all modes of traffic including bikes and pedestrians. We continue to make progress and are positioned to open several more grade separations including Tulare Street, connecting Downtown and Chinatown, in the next couple of months.”
Central Avenue
Contractor Tutor Perini/Zachry/Parsons began work in 2023 on the grade separation between Maple and Cedar avenues in south Fresno. The overcrossing has 20 pre-cast concrete girders, 820,000 pounds of reinforced steel, and 3,700 cubic yards of concrete.
Authority Central Valley Regional Director Fernandez said, “Central Avenue is one of several high-speed rail structures we are committed to complete this year. We continue to make progress across the Central Valley thanks to our collaboration with the building trades and the skilled labor force dispatched on site each day.”
