Welcome
To The Colton
Crossing Rail-to-Rail Grade Separation Project Web Site
This site provides the public with information about the
rail-to-rail grade separation project being studied. This includes:
- Project overview
- Need for the project
- Status of the project
- Public participation
- Contact information
Colton Crossing Overview
Established in 1882, Colton Crossing is
located in the City of Colton just south of Interstate 10 about a quarter
mile east of Rancho Avenue. Used by BNSF Railway (BNSF), north/south
tracks, and Union Pacific Railroad
(UPRR), east/west tracks, for goods movement,
in addition to Metrolink and Amtrak for passenger service, more than 110 trains passed
through Colton Crossing daily in 2008 – making it one of the busiest at-grade
rail-to-rail crossings in the nation.
Why The Need To Improve The
Crossing?
As the existing rail lines cross at-grade,
continuous movement of trains through Colton Crossing is inhibited,
resulting in the idling of trains in the vicinity of Colton Crossing. This
delay affects the efficient regional movement of goods to and from the
Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to and from local and regional
businesses/industries. Delays also impact passenger train operational
efficiency and reliability, and results in community impacts due to
blockage of local arterials, noise, and air quality emissions associated
with idling trains. To accommodate vital goods movement for California and
the nation and support projected growth for years to come, this chokepoint
must be addressed.
Anticipated Local Project
Benefits
Train and Vehicle Congestion
Relief. The rail-to-rail grade separation may
significantly minimize delays caused by idling trains waiting to get
through Colton Crossing, thus reducing delays to vehicle traffic waiting to
get through crossings caused by those idling trains.
Reduced Ambient Noise
Levels. The crossing of the tracks creates a crossing
diamond, which makes a loud impact sound for every wheel set of the train.
The separation of the tracks may significantly reduce noise levels from
moving trains, as well as from idling trains.
Other Relevant Projects. San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG), the City of
Colton, Union Pacific and BNSF have committed to separate improvement
projects that will include: Quiet zones within the City of Colton (trains
will not be required by federal law to blow their horns except in the case
of emergency or the presence of railroad works near the tracks), a grade
separation at Laurel Avenue, and realignment of the 9th Street rail line.
Anticipated Regional Project Benefits
Improved Goods Movement and
Passenger Train Operations. A reduction
of delays at Colton Crossing facilitates improved regional movement of
goods and passenger train operations and reliability.
Improved Air Quality. The reduction of delays at Colton Crossing and resultant idling
trains and vehicles near homes and businesses may improve air quality by
keeping them moving.
Additional Commuter Trains. Facilitate additional
passenger
train slots.
