Discussion

The City of Anaheim (City), in conjunction with the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), proposes to construct three grade-separated crossings: a pedestrian-rail under-crossing, a pedestrian rail over-crossing, and a private baggage rail under-crossing, across the two existing railroad tracks owned by the OCTA. The project is located at the future Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC), approximately 1,400 feet east of the existing Anaheim Train Station in the City of Anaheim, County of Orange.

The existing tracks are operated by the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) also known as Metrolink. The line also hosts National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) passenger trains, and BNSF Railway Company and Union Pacific Railroad Company freight trains. Approximately 41 passenger trains per day at a maximum speed of 79 miles per hour (MPH) and 4 freight trains per day at a maximum speed of 55 MPH operate over these tracks.

The larger ARTIC project will combine a transportation gateway and mixed-use activity center on a 16-acre site owned by OCTA and the City. In addition to serving Metrolink, Amtrak, OCTA bus operations, shuttles, bicyclists and pedestrians, the ARTIC is also slated to serve the future High-Speed Rail system. As part of the ARTIC project, the proposed rail crossing project will provide safe pedestrian access, as well as safe access for Amtrak baggage handling operations, between the new ARTIC station platforms and station buildings and exits. During construction of the new crossings, railroad operations will be impacted, but construction activities will be closely coordinated to minimize the impact.

The proposed pedestrian tunnel will be a grade-separated pedestrian-rail crossing under two sets of OCTA Orange Subdivision mainline tracks at mile post 170.75 to provide direct and safe access for transit patrons between the platforms and the far side western parking lots and the Angel Stadium of Anaheim. The pedestrian tunnel will be approximately 14 feet wide by 10 feet high by 97 feet long with a minimum vertical clearance of 10 feet. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant walkways will be installed on both approaches to the tunnel. North of the crossing, one path extends to a 10 feet wide gently descending walkway approximately 97 feet in length, which leads from the station platform down to the tunnel entrance. The other north pathway leads to a set of stairs that go up to the platform. South of the crossing, one pathway extends to a 10 feet wide gently descending walkway, which leads from the station platform down to the tunnel entrance. The other south pathway leads to a set of stairs.

The nearest railroad crossing to the west is a grade separated pedestrian under-crossing located approximately 500 feet (0.09 miles) away at the existing Anaheim Train Station. The nearest crossing to the east is the Stadium (State Route 57) Overhead (OH) grade-separated crossing located approximately 600 feet (0.11 miles) away. The ARTIC mixed-use development building is approximately 900 feet east of the proposed pedestrian rail crossing. The proposed new ARTIC Station UP CPUC Crossing Number will be identified as 101OR-170.75-BD and DOT No. 945785X.

The second proposed pedestrian-rail crossing will be a grade-separated pedestrian overpass over two sets of OCTA Orange Subdivision mainline tracks at mile post 170.86 to carry pedestrian traffic from the new ARTIC station to the platforms. City proposes to build a grade-separated pedestrian structure approximately 27 feet wide by 10 feet 10 inches high by 265 feet long from the elevator platform on the south end, to the ARTIC building on the north end, over the two OCTA tracks. The pathways leading to the proposed railroad overpass from the platforms to both sets of elevators will be ADA-compliant. The grade-separated bridge structure will continue over the OCTA tracks to connect the ARTIC project with the Honda Center, and a trail easement adjacent to the Santa Ana River Trail, along the east side of ARTIC between the railroad right-of-way and Katella Avenue. The final vertical clearance above the top of the tracks will be a minimum of 25 feet 7 inches. The minimum horizontal clearance will be 16 feet 4 inches from the track center line to the north elevator tower. These dimensions will be in compliance with General Order No. 26-D Section 2.1 minimum clearance requirements.

The nearest railroad crossing to the west is the grade-separated Douglass Road Underpass (CPUC Crossing No. 101OR-170.80-B and DOT No. 916116J) located approximately 325 feet (0.06 miles) away. The nearest crossing to the east is the grade-separated Santa Ana River Bike Path Underpass (CPUC Crossing No. 101OR-170.90-BD and DOT No. 916117R) located approximately 210 feet (0.04 miles) away. The proposed new ARTIC Station OH pedestrian-rail overpass crossing will be identified as CPUC Crossing No. 101OR-170.86-AD and DOT No. 945786E.

The third proposed rail crossing will be a grade-separated private baggage underpass tunnel to provide access for Amtrak baggage via carts between the ARTIC station Amtrak check-in area and the platforms. The baggage tunnel will be approximately 11 feet 6 inches wide by 10 feet high by 121 feet long with ramps on both sides leading back to the station platform. On the north side there will be a short ramp from the tunnel which then turns west where it leads to the platform. On the south side there will be short ramp leading directly from the tunnel entrance to the platform. The nearest railroad crossing to the west is the grade-separated Douglass Road Underpass located approximately 450 feet (0.09 miles) away. The nearest crossing to the east is the grade-separated Santa Ana River Bike Path Underpass located approximately 60 feet (0.01 miles) away. The proposed private baggage tunnel undercrossing will be known as CPUC Crossing No. 101OR-170.89-BX and DOT No. 945787L.