WASHINGTON — More Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement, or CRISI, grants from the Federail Railroad Administration have been announced by members of Congress whose areas will receive the funding. Among the latest announcements:
California grants worth more than $46 million
U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla (both D-Calif.) announced awards of more than $46 million in CRISI funds for five projects. Receiving funding are:
— The Alameda County Transportation, $25 million for grade crossing and pedestrian trespassing sites on the Union Pacific Railroad. Projects will include improved signage, pedestrian gates, lighting, fencing, and crossing signals.
— The San Diego Association of Governments, $8 million for replacement of a 104-year-old bridge used by Pacific Surfliner and other trains. Replacement will help avoid disruptions due to structural degradation and damage from flooding or fires.
— The city of San Jose, grants of $7.5 million and $1.2 million for two projects. The first will aid in grade-separation projects at rail crossings at Skyway Drive, Branham Lane, and Chynoweth Avenue, adjacent to Monterey Road, a high-fatality corridor, and supporting the state’s high speed rail project. The second will fund construction of a traffic signal at the Bascom Avenue grade crossing, reducing accident risk and delays to transit riders.
— The San Jose State University Research Foundation, $4.6 million to fund a multi-university consortium for research, education, and technology to help the rail network deal with extreme events including climate change.
Rail line upgrades in Alabama
U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) announced a $4.95 million grant for improvements on the Alabama Tennessee River Railway between Birmingham and Gunterville, Ala. Work will include siding and way improvements, repairs on bridges to maintain 286,000-pound capacity, elimination of switching across State Route 144 and repairs to the grade crossing there, and reactivation of rock slide warning signals allowing for 25 mph speeds between Birmingham and Ragland.
Short line project in Indiana
U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorksi (R-Ind.) announced a $2.6 million grant for the Elkhart & Western Railroad, which Pioneer Lines CEO said will allow the railroad “to accommodate customer growth while removing safety and reducing blocked crossings.” The funds will help pay for modernizing and improving track safety and capacity and allow three grade crossings to be moved.
I’m not sure why you’d put in traffic signal at a grade crossing already protected by traditional flashing lights and arms…as is the Bascom Avenue crossing…unless it’s for Southwest Expressway which ends right at Bascom and is adjacent to the UP/light rail line(though it’s only one lane in each direction and isn’t a true expressway).
SEPTA’s Warminster Line crosses both Easton Road and Susquehanna Road in their intersection at the Roslyn station. There are traffic lights and flashers, but no gates. The traffic lights going to all red when the flashers are on and the arrangement seems to work.
I’ve seen some very perplexing driver behavior on northbound Bascom approaching that intersection/grade crossing, so thinking about Philip’s comment, a conventional traffic signal there timed/interlocked with the Hamilton/Bascom intersection might really improve safety.