Caltrain Focuses on Safety Improvements at San Mateo Grade Crossings

What’s it like to be hit by a train? Caltrain rider Nick Sayer is one of very few people who can tell that story. Sayer will be one of the featured speakers at an event to highlight rail safety during “Railroad Safety Month.”

WHO:
A train accident survivor, elected officials and a rail safety organization:
-- Caltrain commuter and train accident survivor Nick Sayer
-- Assemblyman Jerry Hill
-- Caltrain Vice Chair Sean Elsbernd
-- San Mateo Deputy Mayor John Lee (San Mateo County Transportation Authority board member)
-- California Operation Lifesaver State Coordinator Pete Aadland

WHAT:
An event to mark the completion of safety improvements at nine grade crossings in the city of San Mateo. The enhancements are part of a larger $17.2 million project to improve 25 grade crossings in San Mateo County.

WHEN:
Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 10:15 a.m.

WHERE:
San Mateo Caltrain Station plaza
First Avenue and Main Street, downtown San Mateo

WHY:
Since Caltrain acquired the right of way along the Peninsula in the 1990s, safety has been a top priority. The grade crossing improvement project is Caltrain’s latest effort to improve safety on the rail corridor. This construction project targeted a range of improvements in San Mateo that included pedestrian gates, clearly marked crosswalks, fencing and roadway medians.

9/22/09
Media Contact: sha Bartholomew, 650.508.7927