New rail overpass in Colton finished ahead of schedule, below cost

By Jim Steinberg, The Sun
Posted: 08/27/13, 5:51 PM PDT |

COLTON >> Colton Crossing, a key project to unclog train congestion for two major railroads, has been completed ahead of schedule and below budget, according to Caltrans and the San Bernardino Associated Governments.

A new elevated 1.4-mile-long overpass has now removed the chokepoint that existed where the Burlington Northern Santa Fe mainline crossed Union Pacific Railway tracks in Colton. Putting the UP tracks above the BNSF line allows both railroads to use tracks safely and eliminate waits as crossing trains pass.

The project was calculated to cost about $202 million and be finished in 2014.

But with innovative construction methods and a competitive marketplace, bids were lower than expected and the project wrapped up eight months ahead of schedule for $93 million.

The need to separate this nearly 130-year-old rail intersection was crucial not only to California’s economy, but to the nation’s as well, the two agencies said in statement released Tuesday.

Nearly half of all U.S. imports flow through California ports and travel by trucks and trains across the state to the rest of the nation.

Transportation officials estimate the project will deliver $241 million in travel time savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions 34,000 tons annually.

The project was a partnership between Caltrans, SanBAG, Colton, and the two railroads.

Funding was provided by state and federal sources, including $34 million from the Recovery Act and $41 million from Proposition 1B, a 2006 voter-approved transportation bond.

The remaining funding was provided by UP and BNSF.

The amount of cargo handled at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach is expected to more than double by 2020.

http://www.sbsun.com/general-news/20130827/new-rail-overpass-in-colton-finished-ahead-of-schedule-below-cost