Caltrain held a Virtual Town Hall today to provide information and answer questions about the upcoming six-month closure of Hillsdale Station as part of its long-planned 25th Avenue Grade Separation Project in San Mateo.
You can view the full town hall here. We’ve put together a video summary below.
Construction on the 25th Avenue Grade Separation Project began in 2017. Once finished, the project will allow traffic to pass under the tracks at 25th Avenue, and will complete east-west connections at both 28th and 31st avenues. The project also involves constructing a new, upgraded Hillsdale Station about 1,000 feet from the existing station, at 28th Ave.
The six-month closure is slated to begin in December, and if not early next year, and the new station is expected to open in June 2020, Caltrain officials said. Finishing touches on the project could last until early 2021.
During the six-month closure of Hillsdale Station, which will allow for the building of the new station, additional Caltrain service will be provided to Belmont Station. To reach Belmont Station, SamTrans riders will be able to board buses between Belmont and Hillsdale Stations for free, with weekday bus service coming every 15 minutes and taking roughly 10 to 15 minutes in trip time each direction. By bicycle, it’s an 8-minute trip.
Shuttles previously servicing Hillsdale Station will redirect to Belmont.
Caltrain said it intends to conduct an abundance of public outreach as the temporary closure of Hillsdale Station nears, and plans to have ambassadors helping direct riders during the closure.
Separating the tracks from the roadway will improve safety for motorists and pedestrians, reduce traffic congestion and rail operations and reduce train noise, according to Caltrain.
Construction thus far has involved relocating utilities, building bridge abutments and girders and installing mechanically stabilized earth walls.
Earlier this month, a rail bridge was constructed over 25th Avenue in one night. In fall 2020, construction will close E. 25th Avenue for about two months.
The $180 million project is funded by a combination of city, state, High-Speed Rail Authority and San Mateo County Measure A funds, according to Caltrain.
For more information and updates, follow the Caltrain project website here.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Climate Magazine’s publisher provides communication services to Caltrain and SamTrans
