NEWS: Padilla, Schiff Announce More Than $116 Million to Improve Railroad Crossing Safety Across California

CALIFORNIA — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) announced that six California projects will receive more than $116 million in federal funding through President Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which Padilla and Schiff voted to pass. The funding, awarded through the Federal Railroad Administration’s Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Program, will improve railroad crossing safety, reduce traffic delays, and strengthen rail infrastructure in Burlingame, Sunnyvale, Richmond, Riverside, San Diego, and Suisun City.

“These federal investments will help make California’s railroad crossings safer, reduce traffic delays, and strengthen the transportation infrastructure our communities depend on,” said Senator Padilla. “From eliminating hazardous crossings to planning future safety upgrades, these projects will improve mobility for Californians and support a stronger regional economy thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. I’ll keep fighting to ensure our communities get these critical investments and the resources they need to grow and thrive.”

“I am proud to help deliver federal funding for critical safety and modernization upgrades for railroad crossings throughout California—made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. All Californians deserve to live in communities with robust transportation infrastructure that helps reduce congestion. These federal investments will help ensure the safety of our pedestrians and drivers,” said Senator Schiff.

The six California projects selected for funding will advance grade separation projects, feasibility studies, and planning efforts to improve safety and mobility for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and rail passengers.

• Burlingame Broadway Grade Separation Project — $90.42 million: The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board will eliminate an at-grade crossing by constructing an elevated rail structure and lowering the roadway, improving safety and reducing traffic delays.
• Mary Avenue Grade Separation Project, Sunnyvale — $15.50 million: The City of Sunnyvale will advance final design work for a future grade separation along the Caltrain corridor.
• Cutting/Carlson At-Grade Crossing Elimination Study, Richmond — $3.36 million: The City of Richmond will plan for a future grade separation at the Cutting Boulevard crossing along the Union Pacific Railroad corridor.
• Spruce Street Crossing Closure and Grade Separation Project, Riverside — $2.80 million: The City of Riverside will advance planning and project development for a future grade separation along the BNSF corridor.
• San Diego Regionwide At-Grade Crossing Elimination Study — $2.73 million: The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) will plan for safety improvements, separations, or elimination of 39 grade crossings across the regional rail network.
• Sunset Avenue Grade Separation Feasibility Study, Suisun City — $2.01 million: The City of Suisun City will evaluate alternatives to separate vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic from the Union Pacific Railroad corridor.

Senator Padilla has been a strong advocate for investing in California’s transportation infrastructure and delivering federal resources to communities across the state. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, provided advance appropriations for the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program, which funds highway-rail and pathway-rail grade crossing improvements to enhance safety and mobility for people and goods.

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