California commission awards funds for rail crossing upgrades in Pomona

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has awarded $20.2 million to the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) for pedestrian and bike safety improvement projects in Pomona, including the installation of new gates at grade crossings shared by Union Pacific Railroad, Metrolink and Amtrak along Main and Palomares streets.

Funding for the safety projects comes from the state Active Transportation Program (ATP), SGVCOG officials said in a press release. The upgrades and safety improvements will create a more accessible and connected community in Pomona, they added.

Along with the safety gates, SGVCOG intends to use ATP funds to install protected bike lanes, speed management strategies to promote lower vehicle speeds and improve transit infrastructure to better interconnect the city.

The project aims to improve infrastructure in economically disadvantaged communities and create a safer walkable environment, SGVCOG officials said. It will provide safer pedestrian access to transportation hubs, including L.A. Metro’s future Foothill Gold Line station, the downtown Pomona Metrolink Station and Foothill Transit’s Pomona transit center.

Additional funding for the $26 million project is provided by Los Angeles County Measure M, a sales tax created to support traffic reduction and transit investments in L.A. County, and other local funds.