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Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority (ACTA) is another step closer to addressing the Alameda Corridor’s considerable grade-separation concerns.

ACTA Aug. 16 awarded engineering firm HDR Inc. the design contract for the $107 million Pacific Coast Highway (PHC) grade-separation project. Terms weren’t disclosed. The PHC intersection is the only location along the Alameda Corridor’s 20-mile route where train and street traffic will conflict when the rail cargo expressway opens in April 2002. It also has the greatest volume of rail-street traffic conflicts of any intersection along the corridor.

ACTA’s goal is to receive a "notice to proceed" by September. ACTA then would select a construction management firm. The project could be completed in 18 to 24 months, with construction beginning in fall 2002.

Last month, ACTA reached an agreement with California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), authorizing ACTA to design and construct the grade-separation project. Caltrans previously had identified $65 million of the estimated $107 million project cost. To bridge the funding gap, Caltrans pledged an additional $14 million, and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority authorized $13.3 million, with the understanding that it could end up footing a $14 million bill. As of Aug. 16, Caltrans was looking to secure the outstanding $14 million balance.

Construction of the $2.4 billion Alameda Corridor project — which is designed to improve the flow of goods through ports, reduce rail traffic congestion by consolidating lines and eliminate traffic conflicts at more than 200 street-level rail crossings — remains on budget and on schedule, according to an ACTA statement.