La Mirada City officials attended the groundbreaking for a street and rail improvement project to replace the existing at-grade crossing with an underpass at Valley View Avenue and the BNSF mainline corridor. The cost of the $65 million project is being covered by state and federal funds.
The grade separation project is a joint effort of the cities of La Mirada, Santa Fe Springs, Caltrans Division of Rail, and BNSF Railway. The Valley View grade separation is also part of a $163 million, 15-mile track expansion, known as the Triple Track Project, which lays an additional third track next to two existing lines.
Valley View Avenue is a major regional arterial route carrying 40,000 vehicles daily. Traffic flow is anticipated to be greatly enhanced as a result of the grade separation. Completion of the project will enhance the local transportation system and air quality, and result in safer and more efficient flow of regional rail traffic. The grade separation will also result in fewer train horns at the crossing.
“We are looking forward to the economic benefits, safety improvements and traffic relief the Valley View Avenue grade separation project will bring to La Mirada and the surrounding communities,” said Mayor Gabe Garcia.
Construction will begin this summer with an anticipated completion by fall 2014.
For more information visit www.vvgs.org.
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Pictured left to right: Councilmember Steve Jones, Mayor Gabe Garcia, Councilmember Lawrence P. Mowles. |