Caltrain Begins Fencing Installation

Crews have been installing fencing at selected locations along the Caltrain corridor in San Mateo County to discourage trespassing across the tracks, with the largest single installation in Burlingame.

Work is planned in Burlingame next week, where 3,875 feet of high-security fencing will be added from the south end of the Broadway station to Oak Grove Avenue.

More than $1.1 million will be spent to construct fencing in 2007 as part of a program which is forecast to invest more than $7 million in fencing over the next three or four years.

The locations were selected based on a number of factors, including the incidence of trespassing by pedestrians, such as taking short cuts across the tracks, and the opportunity to “close” gaps in existing fencing.

Caltrain sought recommendations from locomotive engineers and transit police, as well as cities along the rail corridor about what they considered to be priority.

In addition to the Burlingame work, another 150 feet of fencing will be installed on the south side of the San Bruno station. Crews have already installed more than 500 feet of fencing south of Whipple Avenue in Redwood City, behind the Burger King restaurant, and along the SamTrans bus lot on Brewster Avenue.

They have also placed some 400 feet of fencing near 17th Avenue and the Hayward Park Caltrain Station in San Mateo and another 91 feet of fencing in several spots in Belmont.

Earlier in the year, about 700 feet of fencing was added on both sides of the tracks to keep people from trespassing over the former Stockton Road crossing in San Jose, which is now closed.

This fall, additional fencing is to be installed at about 20 different places between San Francisco and San Jose. Caltrain’s goal over the multi-year program is to install more than 50,000 linear feet of fencing at locations identified as part of the comprehensive selection process.

Over and above this year’s expanded program, Caltrain requires its contractor, Amtrak, to install 1,000 feet of fencing every year. This year’s work will extend existing high-security fencing along Old County Road in Redwood City to Cordilleras Creek. This will close off the entire east side of the tracks from Whipple Avenue to the grade-separation at Howard Avenue in San Carlos.

Caltrain also is working to improve safety at places where people should cross the tracks, at designated, signalized grade crossings. Earlier this year, Caltrain completed a program to install pedestrian arms on the gates at all 25 vehicular grade crossings in San Mateo County. Additional safety improvements to the grade crossings in San Mateo County will continue through 2008.

The program will continue in 2008 in Santa Clara County.

07/06/07 - jrm