Discussion

The grade-separation and crossing relocation is part of the Caltrans Interstate-5/Carmenita Road Interchange reconstruction project. The project aims to improve traffic mobility through the adjoining cities and across the counties, and will increase the capacity of the freeway facility along Interstate-5, as well as Carmenita Road.

UPRR operates a single main line with side and spur tracks in the area. The main track roughly parallels I-5 in the vicinity and has approximately 26 daily train movements at speeds of up to 30 MPH. The spur track crossing over Arctic Circle, just west of Carmenita Road, has approximately 8 daily train movements at speeds of up to 10 MPH.

The Caltrans project will require the reconstruction of the existing Carmenita Road/I-5 overpass structure and realignment of Carmenita Road and all of its entrance and exit ramps to I-5, and will include extension of the overpass structure to grade-separate the UPRR tracks and Carmenita Road. In addition, the project will relocate and reconstruct Arctic Circle, Molette Street, Firestone Boulevard, and other adjacent local streets and intersections. The proposed improvements will increase roadway capacity, eliminate the train-vehicle conflicts on Carmenita Road, reduce impacts on local traffic, and provide adequate vehicle queuing distances for all intersections and traffic movements.

The realignment of Carmenita Road and replacement of the existing two-lane I-5 overpass structure with a ten-lane overpass extending over the adjacent rail corridor requires significant changes to local roadways and traffic circulation patterns. Caltrans proposes to grade-separate Carmenita Road over the UPRR tracks and relocate the existing Carmenita Road at-grade crossing, CPUC Crossing No. 001BK-501.20, approximately 30 feet east from its current location and rename the crossing to Carmenita Place. In addition, Molette Street will be realigned and connected to Arctic Circle, which will be extended under the new structure south of the tracks and connected to Carmenita Place. Carmenita Place will serve as an access road to Firestone Boulevard, providing access for local businesses north of the railroad tracks and south of I-5.

The Carmenita Place crossing will be a two-lane roadway, one lane for each direction. The crossing will be equipped with two Commission Standard 9 (flashing light signal assembly with automatic gate) warning devices, one on each approach, raised medians, advance warning signage and pavement markings. In addition, R8-8 `DO NOT STOP ON TRACKS' signs will be installed on both approaches of the Carmenita Place crossing. The intersection of Carmenita Place and Firestone Boulevard will be controlled by a two-way stop. Eastbound and westbound Firestone Boulevard traffic will have a stop, giving a free uncontrolled movement to northbound Carmenita Place traffic, preventing any traffic queues back to the crossing.

The Arctic Circle crossing, CPUC Crossing No. 001BK-501.18-C, will remain at its current location, but Arctic Circle south of the tracks will be realigned to connect to Carmenita Place. The crossing warning devices will be upgraded from Commission Standard 8 (flashing light signal) devices to Commission Standard 9 warning devices. The crossing surface will be extended to the east to accommodate the street realignment and be upgraded with concrete crossing panels.

California Public Utilities Commission General Order (GO) 26-D specifies railroad track clearances that must be maintained. GO 26-D requires a minimum overhead clearance of 22 feet 6 inches. During construction of the grade separation, Caltrans is requesting a temporary impaired vertical clearance of 21 feet. The permanent minimum vertical clearance over the tracks from bottom of grade-separated structure to top of rail upon completion will be 26 feet. UPRR has indicated it is in agreement with the project and offers no objection to the request.