Another ACE grade separation project wraps up in California

Federal, state and local officials yesterday gathered to mark the completion of a four-lane underpass and railroad bridge to replace a hazardous crossing at Fairway Drive in Industry, California.

The project was the 16th grade separation to be constructed by the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) as part of the Alameda Corridor-East (ACE) Project, a program of 19 grade separations and safety improvements along the high-volume transcontinental ACE freight-rail corridor.

The $250.1 million Fairview Drive project was funded by the State Prop 1B Trade Corridor Improvement Fund, Section 190 Grade Separation Program, Los Angeles County Metro Prop C and Measure R funds, the city of Industry and Union Pacific Railroad, according to an SGVCOG press release.

Now open to traffic, the underpass and railroad bridge are expected to serve over 26,000 vehicles daily and accommodate up to 91 trains by 2025, significantly enhancing traffic flow. The project also eliminates the potential for crossing collisions. The location has been the site of 17 accidents, including three fatalities and 11 injuries recorded by the Federal Railroad Administration.

Included in the project are four new retaining walls supporting a four-track railroad bridge and a new four-lane underpass on Fairway Drive. This underpass is located between the 60 Freeway and Valley Boulevard in Industry and the unincorporated Los Angeles County community of Rowland Heights. The grade separation represents a significant leap forward in improving the long-time challenges of traffic congestion and transit-related accidents at the crossing, council officials said.

"This is more than just an underpass — it's a vital artery that will streamline traffic, bolster safety and contribute to a more sustainable future for our community and beyond," said SGVCOG President Tim Hepburn.