Post by jeffe77 on Apr 11, 2008 7:18:07 GMT -8
Seven over- and underpasses to be constructed in O.C. to overcome road-rail conflicts.
www.ocregister.com/articles/rail-corridor-million-2015726-state-traffic
By ERIC NEFF
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
SACRAMENTO – The state and county are tackling traffic congestion along the Orangethorpe rail corridor head on.
The California Transportation Commission voted Thursday to build seven under- and overpasses at various crossings in Anaheim, Fullerton and Placentia.
The projects will cost $408 million in all, with the bill being divided between the state and the county. All of the funding is now ensured.
"It's important to the community, because of the backup that causes congestion," Commissioner Marian Bergeson said. "It's a huge problem within the community, but it's also a strong economic incentive because of mobility."
Also approved was $35 million to widen the westbound 91 Freeway by one lane, between the 57 and I-5 freeways. That construction, which will cost $73 million in all, is slated to begin in 2012.
Congestion is a growing problem at the rail-and-road intersections, traffic officials say. Rail traffic along that corridor is projected to increase from 75 trains a day to 130 by 2030.
"All you have to do is look at a 2-mile-long train going by and an emergency vehicle waiting to see the benefits of grade separations," said Don Hoppe, Fullerton's engineering director.
On Thursday, the state commission in all allocated $3 billion to agencies statewide through the Transportation Corridor Improvement Fund. The funds will come from Prop. 1B – a bond initiative approved by voters in 2006.
Contact the writer: 714-704-3782 or eneff@ocregister.com
www.ocregister.com/articles/rail-corridor-million-2015726-state-traffic
By ERIC NEFF
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
SACRAMENTO – The state and county are tackling traffic congestion along the Orangethorpe rail corridor head on.
The California Transportation Commission voted Thursday to build seven under- and overpasses at various crossings in Anaheim, Fullerton and Placentia.
The projects will cost $408 million in all, with the bill being divided between the state and the county. All of the funding is now ensured.
"It's important to the community, because of the backup that causes congestion," Commissioner Marian Bergeson said. "It's a huge problem within the community, but it's also a strong economic incentive because of mobility."
Also approved was $35 million to widen the westbound 91 Freeway by one lane, between the 57 and I-5 freeways. That construction, which will cost $73 million in all, is slated to begin in 2012.
Congestion is a growing problem at the rail-and-road intersections, traffic officials say. Rail traffic along that corridor is projected to increase from 75 trains a day to 130 by 2030.
"All you have to do is look at a 2-mile-long train going by and an emergency vehicle waiting to see the benefits of grade separations," said Don Hoppe, Fullerton's engineering director.
On Thursday, the state commission in all allocated $3 billion to agencies statewide through the Transportation Corridor Improvement Fund. The funds will come from Prop. 1B – a bond initiative approved by voters in 2006.
Contact the writer: 714-704-3782 or eneff@ocregister.com
