L.A. Metro breaks ground on new rail bridge in Santa Fe Springs to enhance safety, improve traffic flow

    June 3, 2022
    The $156-million project is expected to be completed in 2025.
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    The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (L.A. Metro) broke ground on a project that will build a bridge for freight and passenger trains over the intersection of Rosecrans and Marquardt Avenues in Santa Fe Springs.  

    The bridge will replace the street level rail crossing which will reduce traffic congestion and reduce collisions. The $156-million project is expected to be completed in 2025.  

    “This project is right on time for this hazardous intersection,” said L.A. County Supervisor and L.A. Metro Board Chair Hilda Solis. “Making the necessary enhancements to this intersection will provide a significant improvement to the flow of local street traffic, and it will enhance safety for motorists and rail operators who cross this intersection daily.” 

    On average, trains cross the intersection about every seven minutes — bringing vehicle traffic to a standstill for a total of 21 hours per week. An estimated 45,000 vehicles and 135 trains travel through this intersection each day. 

    From 2013 to 2019, the California Public Utilities Commission recorded 31 rail-motor vehicle incidents at the intersection resulting in six fatalities and seven injuries. The rail bridge will allow for freight and passengers trains to cross the intersection without disrupting local traffic. 

    “At Metro, safety is our number one priority for transit passengers and motorists in the region,” said L.A. Metro CEO Stephanie N. Wiggins. “This project presents a win-win situation for our freight and transit partners – we know that time is money, therefore we must do all we can to ensure that our rail crossings are not an impediment to delivering people and freight safely to their destinations.” 

    To make this project possible, several transportation agencies provided the following funding: 

    • California High Speed Rail Proposition 1A – $76.67 million 
    • California Public Utilities Commission Section 190-City of Santa Fe Springs – $15 million 
    • Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway – $7.27 million 
    • L.A. County Measure R sales tax – $26.50 million 
    • Federal Transportation Investment Generating Economy Recovery (TIGER)- $15 million 
    • California Senate Bill 1 Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP) – $7 million 
    • California State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) – $9 million 

    “The California High-Speed Rail Authority is proud to be funding partners for this important transportation project,” said California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO Brian Kelly. “Increasing public safety, improving mobility and helping improve air quality are three major benefits that this project will bring to the region, even before high-speed trains arrive in Southern California. We look forward to more partnerships like this in the future.”