Caltrain gears up for 25th Avenue grade separation

Caltrain today will begin construction on a grade separation project at 25th Avenue in San Mateo, California.

Crews will start building the bridges and walls needed to elevate Caltrain's track above the road. The separation is aimed at reducing local traffic congestion and increasing safety for drivers and pedestrians, Caltrain officials said in a press release.

The California Public Utilities Commission has identified the 25th Avenue crossing as a top priority for safety improvement. The grade separation project also has been a goal for Caltrain and the city of San Mateo for many years, Caltrain officials said.

The $180 million project will be funded with city, state and San Mateo County dollars, as well as an $84 million contribution from the California High-Speed Rail Authority.

CHSRA and Caltrain eventually will operate in a shared corridor in the San Francisco Bay area.

The work is expected to take between two and three years. As part of the improvements, Caltrain is building a new elevated Hillsdale Station at East 28th Avenue.