Work beginning at the Avenida Aeropuerto and La Zanja crossings
Jan. 24, 2011
ORANGE – Work is beginning this week to install new railroad crossing safety features in San Juan Capistrano that will enhance safety for drivers and pedestrians and provide the necessary upgrades for a quiet zone.
Five crossings in San Juan Capistrano will be improved as part of the program: Avenida Aeropuerto, Del Obispo Street, La Zanja Street, Oso Road and Verdugo Street.
Preliminary construction on the Avenida Aeropuerto and La Zanja Street crossings is scheduled to begin on Thursday, Jan. 27. Work is scheduled from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Thursday through Sunday.
Construction will occur in multiple phases, beginning first with signal improvements. All five crossings in San Juan Capistrano are anticipated to be completed this fall.
Improvements include upgraded and updated warning devices, additional gate arms, extended and raised medians, improved signage and coordinated traffic signals.
Once the improvements are made, cities are able to apply for quiet zone status. By law, engineers now must sound their horns up to four times when they approach a crossing. If a quiet zone is established, horns will only sound in an emergency.
OCTA is partnering with eight cities to implement the $85 million program, which includes safety enhancements at 50 railroad crossings throughout Orange County. Construction on all the crossings is anticipated to be completed by the end of this year.
To learn more about railroad safety improvements in your area, join the mailing list at www.octa.net/railroadcrossing .
