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    1. Rail
    2. Infrastructure

    Caltrain, city of San Mateo celebrate completion of 25th Avenue grade separation project

    Sept. 21, 2021
    The improvements at E. 25th Avenue eliminate the risk of pedestrians and vehicles accessing the tracks and help reduce local traffic congestion in the area. 
    Related To: Caltrain
    Caltrain
    Caltrain 614a08465bf74

    Caltrain’s 25th Avenue Grade Separation Project is officially completed after four years of construction. The project completion was celebrated by Caltrain, the city of San Mateo and local stakeholders with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.  

    Caltrain, in cooperation with the city of San Mateo, raised the tracks and slightly lowered the road at E. 25th Avenue, which has been one of the agency’s busiest grade crossings in San Mateo due to its proximity to the San Mateo County Event Center. The improvements at E. 25th Avenue eliminate the risk of pedestrians and vehicles accessing the tracks and help reduce local traffic congestion in the area.  

    “The safety of Caltrain passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and motorists has been our top priority from the beginning of this project,” said Caltrain Board Chair Dev Davis. “This grade separation will ensure the safety of our residents and will reduce traffic and noise in the surrounding area. I’m grateful this grade separation is completed and look forward to completing more by collaborating with residents on how we can provide them the best Caltrain experiences.”     

    In addition to separating the tracks and road at E. 25th Avenue, the project also provided an opportunity to complete east-west street connections at 28th and 31st Avenues in conformance with the San Mateo Rail Corridor Transit Oriented Development Plan. 

    As part of the $205.9 million project improvements, Caltrain built a new elevated Hillsdale Station approximately four blocks north of its previous location, and is now accessible from 28th Avenue in San Mateo. The new station features a center-boarding platform and pedestrian underpass, eliminating the need for riders to wait at a crossing gate to get from one platform to the other. It also offers riders on-demand bicycle eLockers and traditional bike racks, two parking lots and six connecting SamTrans routes, making the station a truly multi-modal transit hub. 

    The project was funded by Measure A funds, contributions from the city of San Mateo, California Public Utilities Commission Section 190 and high-speed rail funds. 

    “We are very excited that our community will now get to enjoy the many benefits of this long-awaited project,” said San Mateo Mayor Eric Rodriguez. “It is thanks to our project partners, funders, the business community and our residents, that we could deliver on the promise of making it easier for everyone to enjoy San Mateo and all that we have to offer.”  

    California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO Brian Kelly added, "The 25th Avenue grade separation project is a good example of how partnership can lead to regional improvements now, while also paving the way for future high-speed rail service. This was once one of the state's more dangerous grade crossings; now, thanks to work completed, the region will see less traffic congestion, improved safety and upgraded facilities. We are proud to partner with the city of San Mateo, San Mateo County, Caltrain and others on these improvements, and will continue to work closely together to bring California High-Speed Rail to the Bay Area."