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New Bridge Enhances Safety and Alleviates Motorist Delays
For drone video footage of the bridge, click here.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), in partnership with various local, state and federal agencies, announced new Rosecrans Avenue Bridge has been opened in Santa Fe Springs. The bridge, which is part of the Rosecrans/Marquardt Grade Separation project, enhances safety and saves motorists time by separating vehicle and train traffic.
“This new bridge will provide the much-needed safety and traffic relief that residents and businesses in the area require,” said L.A. Mayor and Metro Board Chair Karen Bass. “As major rail projects like High-Speed Rail make their way to Los Angeles, we must be sure that our county is ready for a transportation future that is safer, faster and more reliable.”
Spanning approximately 581 feet and with a width of 104 feet, this vast structure features two vehicle lanes in each direction, a raised central median and sidewalks on both sides. This new crossing fixes an at-grade area that the California Public Utilities Commission identified as one of the most dangerous rail crossings in California. Prior to today, an estimated 45,000 vehicles and 135 trains traveled through this location daily and from 2013 to 2019, the CPUC recorded 31 incidents involving vehicles and trains resulting in six fatalities and seven injuries.
“This project is long overdue for our Southeast L.A. communities and will once and for all solve a major safety concern that we’ve had in our backyards for years,” said L.A. County Supervisor and Metro First Vice Chair Janice Hahn. “This project will save lives, making our local streets safer while also improving one of our most critical goods movement corridors.”
The new rail crossing will eliminate train-to-vehicle traffic and pedestrian collisions by carrying vehicular traffic over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway, improve air quality by eliminating idling trains and vehicles, increase rail efficiency by enhancing passenger and freight rail services and accommodate potential future California High-Speed Rail trains.
“In the last year, the Federal Railroad Administration has announced unprecedented investments in rail nationwide through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including 14 new projects and eight new corridors identified for future development across California,” said FRA Administrator Amit Bose. “We’re excited to see previous federal investments deliver infrastructure improvements, like the Rosecrans Avenue Bridge, that will increase safety and relieve congestion for residents and we know additional projects moving forward will deliver even more benefits in communities across the state.”
While the entire project is expected to be finished in 2025, additions may include future bike lanes in each direction while crews continue adding new sidewalks and pavement to Marquardt Avenue, Frontage Road and Anson Avenue. Construction crews will also continue to install utility lines, landscaping, signage, striping and parking lot improvements.
“Through strategic investments and forward-thinking planning, we are enhancing our current transit options and paving the way for a more accessible, interconnected and sustainable future for Los Angeles County,” said Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. “Safety is Metro’s top priority, and this project is the latest example of our efforts to enhance public safety within busy rail corridors.”
For more information, please visit the project page: metro.net/projects/rosecrans-marquardt-grade-separation.
Additional quotes:
“After years of construction and hard work, I am proud to see the opening of this incredible project and investment in our city. Transportation is vital to Los Angeles’ economy and I am confident that the Rosecrans/Marquardt Grade Separation will improve our traffic flow and road safety,” said Congresswoman Linda Sánchez. “I am honored to have played a role in fighting for and delivering $15 million in federal grants to bring this transformative project to life.”
“This new bridge will help reduce air pollution in the region by eliminating the need for trains and vehicles to idle at the rail crossing,” said Whittier Mayor Pro Temp and Metro Board Second Vice Chair Fernando Dutra. “Through this collaborative partnership between the cities of Santa Fe Springs and La Mirada, Metro, our local, state and federal partners Southeast L.A. will greatly benefit from reduced traffic congestion and enhance safety on local streets.”
“The safety of motorists and trains is paramount in keeping greater Los Angeles moving. Caltrans is proud to be a partner in helping move this project, goods and people and to improve the safety of the Rosecrans Marquardt grade crossing,” said Tony Tavares, Caltrans Director. “The Rosecrans Marquardt grade separation project enabled the construction of a third track through the area, which allowed an increase from 50 to 84 passenger trains per day on this busy route shared by Metrolink commuter trains and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains.”
“The California High-Speed Rail Authority is proud to partner with Metro on this important safety project in Southern California,” said Authority CEO Brian Kelly. “The new bridge will help save lives, improve air quality and improve local traffic circulation. It’s a win-win-win.”
About Metro
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is building the most ambitious transportation infrastructure program in the United States and is working to improve mobility through its Vision 2028 Plan. Metro is the lead transportation planning and funding agency for L.A. County and carries more than 900,000 boardings daily on a fleet of 2,200 low-emission buses and six rail lines.
Stay informed by following Metro on The Source and El Pasajero at metro.net, facebook.com/losangelesmetro, twitter.com/metrolosangeles and twitter.com/metroLAalerts and instagram.com/metrolosangeles.
