After four years of construction, Caltrain and the City of San Mateo, along with local dignitaries and funding partners, celebrated the completion of the 25th Avenue Grade Separation Project with a ribbon-cutting event today.
Caltrain, in cooperation with the City of San Mateo, raised the tracks and slightly lowered the road at E. 25th Avenue, which has been one of the agency’s busiest grade crossings in San Mateo due to its proximity to the San Mateo County Event Center. The improvements at E. 25th Avenue eliminates the risk of pedestrians and vehicles accessing the tracks, and helps reduce local traffic congestion in the area.
In addition to separating the tracks and road at E. 25th Avenue, the project also provided an opportunity to complete east-west street connections at 28th and 31st Avenues in conformance with the San Mateo Rail Corridor Transit Oriented Development Plan.
As part of the $205.9 million project improvements, Caltrain built a new elevated Hillsdale Station approximately four blocks north of its previous location, and is now accessible from 28th Avenue in San Mateo. The new station features a center-boarding platform and pedestrian underpass, eliminating the need for riders to wait at a crossing gate to get from one platform to the other. It also offers riders on-demand bicycle eLockers and traditional bike racks, two parking lots and six connecting SamTrans routes, making the station a truly multi-modal transit hub.
The project was funded by Measure A funds, contributions from the City of San Mateo, California Public Utilities Commission Section 190, and high-speed rail funds.
"The 25th Avenue grade separation is a step forward for the safety of Caltrain riders and the San Mateo community," said Congressmember Anna Eshoo. "In addition to enhanced safety, the improved connections provide a more accessible way to travel between the east and west sides of the City, with greater connection to the innovative businesses that drive our economy. This project is a great example of how investments in infrastructure improve our communities."
“Thank you to all of the elected officials, government agencies, and other transportation stakeholders who worked so hard to bring this project to fruition. I am proud that this newest grade separation – a safe and efficient east-west connection – lies right in the heart of my Senate district, said State Sen. Josh Becker. “I look forward to supporting and promoting more projects like this throughout San Mateo County, and doing what I can to secure more funds so we can have the highly efficient multi-modal transportation corridor the Peninsula deserves.”
“The completion of the 25th Avenue Grade Separation Project brings a new level of safety, improved traffic flow, and increased accessibility by connecting neighborhoods in the City of San Mateo,” said Assembly Speaker pro Tem Kevin Mullin. “This project would not have been possible without cooperation between multiple jurisdictions at the local, regional and state level. Once again, San Mateo County has shown how to get things done by working and collaborating together.”
“We are very excited that our community will now get to enjoy the many benefits of this long-awaited project,” said Mayor Eric Rodriguez, City of San Mateo. “It is thanks to our project partners, funders, the business community, and our residents, that we could deliver on the promise of making it easier for everyone to enjoy San Mateo and all that we have to offer.”
“The safety of Caltrain passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists has been our top priority from the beginning of this project,” said Caltrain Board Chair Dev Davis. “This grade separation will ensure the safety of our residents and will reduce traffic and noise in the surrounding area. I’m grateful this grade separation is completed and look forward to completing more by collaborating with residents on how we can provide them the best Caltrain experiences.”
“This project separates the roadway from the railroad tracks in three different places, making our streets safer, while forging better connections between neighborhoods and communities,” said TA Board Chair Emily Beach. “I thank the voters of San Mateo County for supporting Measure A, which made this project possible.”
"The 25th Avenue grade separation project is a good example of how partnership can lead to regional improvements now, while also paving the way for future high-speed rail service," said California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO Brian Kelly. "This was once one of the state's more dangerous grade crossings; now, thanks to work completed, the region will see less traffic congestion, improved safety and upgraded facilities. We are proud to partner with the City of San Mateo, San Mateo County, Caltrain and others on these improvements, and will continue to work closely together to bring California High-Speed Rail to the Bay Area."
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About Caltrain: Owned and operated by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, Caltrain provides commuter rail service from San Francisco to San Jose, with commute service to Gilroy. While the Joint Powers Board assumed operating responsibilities for the service in 1992, the railroad celebrated 150 years of continuous passenger service in 2014. Planning for the next 150 years of Peninsula rail service, Caltrain is on pace to electrify the corridor, reduce diesel emissions by 97 percent by 2040 and add more service to more stations.
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