The California High-Speed Rail Authority recently opened the Belmont Avenue Grade Separation in Fresno.
The four-span, 62-foot-wide and more than 611-foot-long bridge takes traffic and pedestrians over the Union Pacific Railroad.
“Safety is the highest priority for the Authority, while in construction and for our future operations,” Garth Fernandez, Authority Central Valley regional director, said. “The Belmont Avenue grade separation is yet another example of the Authority’s investment in the community to enhance safety and connectivity for all modes of traffic including bikes and pedestrians. We continue to make progress and are positioned to open several more grade separations including Tulare Street, connecting Downtown and Chinatown, in the next couple of months.”
Work began in 2022 and remained open to traffic during construction.
Grade separations improve safety for traffic and pedestrians that no longer have to wait at a railroad crossing or cross it on foot. Separations also reduce traffic congestion, reduce noise from train horns and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from idling vehicles.
The authority continues construction on the California high-speed rail project. To date, 54 of the 93 structures needed are complete with more than 30 under construction. More than 60 miles of guideway are complete.