Underpasses at Raymond and State College, bridge at Lakeview will enhance safety, lessen drivers’ wait times
ORANGE – Orange County Transportation Authority officials and city leaders from Fullerton, Placentia and Anaheim today held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction on the final three projects in the O.C. Bridges program.
Underpasses will be built at Raymond Avenue and at State College Boulevard and an overcrossing on Lakeview Avenue where those streets intersect with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad.
The goal of the entire $630 million O.C. Bridges program is to separate car and pedestrian traffic from the busy rail line, enhancing safety and improving commute times by eliminating the need for drivers to wait at rail crossings.
Up to 70 trains – some more than one mile long – travel through the area daily. That number is expected to increase to nearly 130 trains each day by 2030.
“Building these bridges and underpasses improves traffic flow and safety for those who travel through this area,” said OCTA chairman Shawn Nelson, also the chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. “OCTA has developed strong partnerships with the cities along the corridor and we’re excited to work with them to get these last three projects done.”
Undercrossing and bridges along the rail corridor also have been completed or are under construction as part of the O.C. Bridges program at Placentia Avenue, Kraemer Boulevard, Orangethorpe Avenue and Tustin Avenue/Rose Drive.
The projects just getting underway include:
Raymond Avenue:
- An undercrossing between Santa Fe and Ash. A temporary bypass road will be built and traffic rerouted beginning in summer 2015. Fullerton is leading construction of the project with assistance from OCTA. The cost is $112 million, with completion expected in early 2018.
State College Boulevard:
- An undercrossing between Santa Fe and Valencia. State College is scheduled to be reduced to one lane in each direction (north of Kimberly) beginning May 19 for 30 days. In early 2015, the street will close to vehicle traffic between Fender and Valencia. Fullerton is leading construction of the project with assistance from OCTA. The cost is $86 million, with completion expected in early 2018.
Lakeview Avenue
- An overcrossing is being constructed between about 200 feet south of Orchard Drive and 150 feet south of Eisenhower Circle. Lakeview will be closed to traffic in summer 2015 and cars rerouted through nearby intersections improved to handle the additional traffic. OCTA is leading construction of the project. The cost is $96 million, with completion expected by late 2016.
Each of the projects is being funding in part by Measure M, the county’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, and by state and federal funds.
For more information, visit www.octa.net/ocbridges.
