DESCRIPTION
The
amount of cargo handled at the Ports of Los Angeles and
Long Beach
is expected to more than double by
2020. Such growth provides significant economic opportunities for
Southern California
and the
nation. However, it also presents challenges to road and rail infrastructure capacity,
regional air quality, and traffic safety.
Colton
Crossing is the location where the two main rail routes
serving Southern California cross at-grade in the City of Colton.
Virtually all trains leaving or entering Southern California
use this crossing. This at-grade rail crossing is
a major cause of congestion on the main lines
of the Union Pacific Railroad ("UPRR") and the
BNSF Railway Company ("BNSF"). Alternatives for grade separating
the crossing have been explored in the past. The
rail crossing location is constrained by nearby roadways,
rail connections and adjacent urban development.
Metrolink has long range plans to
expand commuter rail service from San Bernardino to Riverside and other
parts of the region. However, due to freight
congestion at Colton Crossing, expansion of commuter services
is problematic at this time.
STUDY OBJECTIVE
ACTA
was selected by UPRR and BNSF to conduct a feasibility study
to analyze alternatives and costs for design and construction
of an east-west structure, which would grade separate the
BNSF and UPRR main line tracks at Colton Crossing. In
addition, a north-south flyover will be evaluated to the south
of Colton Crossing to reduce conflicts of UPRR trains crossing
the BNSF San Bernardino Subdivision. The
study will define the preferred project concept as well as
the required staging to support operations during construction,
and project costs.
The final study will be used to revise and update the
existing Colton Crossing Project Study Report (PSR) on file
with the California Department of Transportation and
to provide input to a future Project Report/Environment
Documents (PR/ED), to be developed by San Bernardino
Associated Governments (SANBAG).
The study was delivered to SANBAG by ACTA on behalf of the railroads on December 15, 2006.
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Planning - Colton
Crossing
Feasibility Study
