Progress is being made on a $76 million roadway underpass and bridge project being built on Baldwin Avenue in El Monte.
The Alameda Corridor-East Construction Authority, which is overseeing the project, had a groundbreaking for it in February. The four-lane roadway underpass with a double-track railroad bridge is being constructed to replace a congested railroad crossing on Baldwin Avenue north of Valley Boulevard, according to officials.
Baldwin Avenue is used daily by 28,000 vehicles, including major truck traffic, and is blocked by an average of 20 Union Pacific freight trains a day, according to Alameda Corridor-East data. The crossing has had two collisions in the past 10 years.
"The Baldwin Avenue project will ease traffic gridlock, reduce emissions, improve safety and facilitate goods movement," said U.S. Rep. Judy Chu, D-Monterey Park, following the groundbreaking. "I am proud to work with my colleagues in Congress on efforts to secure federal funding for the ACE grade separation projects, which will create vital infrastructure for a thriving future."
El Monte Mayor Pro Tem Norma Macias also lauded the project.
"The city of El Monte appreciates the opportunity to work in partnership with the ACE Construction Authority on this important safety and congestion relief project, which will benefit our community for many years," she said at the groundbreaking.
Baldwin Avenue is expected to re-open to traffic in 2015.
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