San Bruno grade separation is nearly half completed, Caltrain says

A grade separation project designed to improve safety at three grade crossings in downtown San Bruno, Calif., is closing in on the halfway mark.

Supports and bridges for the $147 million project now are visible, Caltrain officials said in a prepared statement.

The project calls for raising the tracks by 18 feet and lowering the road by about four feet at three crossings at San Bruno, San Mateo and Angus avenues. The current station at Sylvan Avenue also will be replaced on the grade separation between San Bruno and San Mateo avenues.

Construction on the project began in 2010. Until recently, most of the work was performed under ground.

The next step in the project will be to install the steel boarding platforms for the station. Because the platforms do not support the weight of the train, they are much lighter; only one crane will be needed to put them in place and the work is expected to take less time than the bridge installations, Caltrain officials said. At 800 feet, the station will be one of the longest in the agency’s system, they said.

The entire project is scheduled to be completed by fall 2013.