:: Iowa Avenue Grade Separation
Cost: $32,000,000
Status: In Design
Start Date : 2010
End Date : 2011
Neighborhood: Hunter Industrial Park
Maps: Aerial Map
Contact:
Design Engineering: Construction Inspection:
Deborah Anderson TBD
Senior Engineer  
951-826-5517  
Iowa Avenue Grade Separation

Project Status & News

  • Environmental clearance was obtained July 31, 2008
  • Awaiting approval from CalTrans

Description

Artist Rendering of Iowa Interchange after completionThe design of the Iowa Avenue Grade Separation project is underway. The project will grade separate the existing Iowa Avenue/Burlington Northern Santa Fe at-grade crossing by raising Iowa Avenue through construction of an overpass structure over the BNSF tracks between Palmyrita Avenue and Spring Street.

The project will require modifications to the existing intersections of east and west Citrus Street with Iowa Avenue. Citrus Street east will be slightly modified to accommodate the new raised roadway and will include an access road under the bridge to maintain access to the property located at the southwest quadrant of the railroad and Iowa Avenue crossing. Turning movements from the realigned east Citrus Street will be restricted to right turn in and out movements only. Left turn movements will be allowed following installation of traffic signals which are currently proposed as a future and separate project. West Citrus Street will be extended under the overpass and loop back to intersect the east side of Iowa Avenue approximately 700 feet north of the tracks.

Construction Schedule

Construction of the project is scheduled to begin following completion of the Columbia Avenue Overpass in mid 2010. The project will take approximately 16 months to construct. Iowa Avenue will be closed to through traffic during construction. A detour route will be provided with motorists encouraged to use the I-215 freeway as an alternative route.

Project Benefits

  • Eliminates approximately 6 hours per day of gate down time and resulting delays and traffic congestion on Iowa Avenue
  • Eliminates approximately 3 minutes average delay for each emergency responder that encounters a train
  • Eliminates over 51.63 tons per year of greenhouse gas emissions generated by vehicles delayed by trains (CO2 equivalent for 2030)

Project Facts

  • Average daily traffic on Iowa Avenue is over 16,000 vehicles per day and is projected to increase to 32,000 vehicles per day by 2025
  • Approximately 90 freight trains and 10 passenger trains cross Iowa Avenue daily
  • Number of trains is expected to increase to 169 per day by 2030.

Project Cost and Funding

  • Estimated cost of the project is $32 million. Project funding includes:
Project Funding Sources Iowa
City of Riverside Funds $ 0.5 M
Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC)
Design Advance Funds
1.5 M
Riverside County Transportation Commission
Grade Separation Match Funds
* 0.5 M
California Public Utilities Commission Grade Separation Funds * 5.0 M
Prop 1B Trade Corridors Improvement Fund (TCIF) 13.0 M
Federal Funds 11.7 M
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad Funds * 1.5 M
* = Anticipated  
Total Project Funding $ 33.7 M
 
City Engineering
Grade Separation Projects
Future
Grade Separation Projects
Details for these projects will be posted as information becomes available:
  1. Riverside Drive/Union Pacific Railroad
  2. Streeter Avenue/Union Pacific Railroad
  3. Third Street/BNSF Railroad
Construction Projects
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