Arizona panel approves $66.6 million grade separation project

The Arizona Corporation Commission approved the upgrade of a public grade crossing on U.S. 60 in Surprise, Ariz., at a cost of $66.6 million.

The application authorizes BNSF Railway Co. to remove the existing at-grade crossing and build a grade-separated crossing, commission officials said in a press release.

The crossing, at U.S. 60 and Bell, will be replaced by a bridge to take traffic over the BNSF lines so that vehicles no longer have to drive across the track. The roadway is one of the most traveled in the valley, with about 50,000 vehicles crossing each day, according to Commission Railroad Safety Manager Brian Lehman.

The crossing upgrade is designed to improve safety and traffic flow. An Arizona Department of Transportation project, the project is slated to begin in January and be completed in 18 months.