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Release #11 01 26
Contact:
Alia Wilson, Deputy PIO
408-731-0716
awilson@sunnyvale.ca.gov
SUNNYVALE SECURES $15.5 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT FOR MARY AVENUE RAIL CROSSING PROJECT
One of the City's largest ever grant awards will help fully fund the project's final design
SUNNYVALE, Calif. – The City of Sunnyvale has secured a $15.5 million federal grant to advance the Mary Avenue Caltrain Grade Separation Project. This is a major transportation improvement that will make one of the city's busiest railroad crossings safer for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians. The award is the second largest of six projects receiving funding in California and one of the largest grants Sunnyvale has ever received.
The Federal Railroad Administration awarded the funding through its Railroad Crossing Elimination Program. Together, the federal grant and previously secured local funds are expected to cover the project's full estimated $19.6 million final design cost. The City's $4.107 million local match is already secured through the 2016 VTA Measure B transportation sales tax.
"This is a major milestone for Sunnyvale and a significant investment in our community's future," said Sunnyvale Mayor Larry Klein. "This funding brings us much closer to making Mary Avenue safer and improving how people get around our city. We're grateful for the federal support and proud that we've secured the local funding needed to move this important project forward."
The project will lower Mary Avenue beneath the Caltrain tracks, eliminating the need for vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians to cross active railroad tracks. Currently, people traveling through the intersection must wait when trains pass creating congestion in this major north-south route. Separating the roadway from the tracks will eliminate these conflicts, improve traffic flow and provide safer, more reliable connections for everyone using the corridor.
The federal grant will support final design work, a critical step toward making the project ready for construction. While construction funding will still be needed, the award represents substantial progress toward delivering this long-planned safety improvement.
Sunnyvale was one of six California communities selected to receive funding through the federal Railroad Crossing Elimination Program. The City appreciates the support of the Federal Railroad Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, Representative Ro Khanna and Caltrain in advancing this important regional safety improvement.
Visit the City’s website for more information about the Mary Avenue Grade Separation Project.
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About the City of Sunnyvale - Sunnyvale is the heart of Silicon Valley. With a population of 161,884, Sunnyvale is the sixth-largest city in the Bay Area. We’re a center of technology and innovation, but also a town of quiet family neighborhoods, strong schools and a diverse community of people. The city has 27 parks; facilities for golf, tennis and swimming; a library; and an arts complex. Sunnyvale’s downtown is home to a variety of local eateries and merchants, and hosts frequent art festivals, concerts and a year-round farmers’ market. Sunnyvale has over 11,000 businesses that provide a rich mixture of goods and services, including many icons in tech, manufacturing, retail and research and development.
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