Groundbreaking to be held next week for Southern California grade separation

On Nov. 12, the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) plans to hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the Laurel Street grade separation project in Colton, Calif.

The $40 million project calls for building a bridge to separate vehicles and pedestrians on Laurel Street from rail traffic along a BNSF Railway Co. line.

Each day, about 90 trains pass through the current grade crossing on Laurel Street that features six tracks, resulting in a total "gate down" time exceeding four hours daily, according to SANBAG. The number of trains crossing Laurel Street is projected to double by 2035 due to regional growth.

Expected to take 18 months, the project will be funded with Measure I, State Transportation Corridor Improvement Fund and Transportation Congestion Relief Program dollars, as well as contributions from the city of Colton, BNSF and Union Pacific Railroad.

SANBAG recently dedicated the completion of a grade separation in Ontario, Calif. The project involved elevating UP tracks over Milliken Avenue between Guasti Road and Airport Drive.