Caltrain Postpones San Mateo Tree Removal

By

May 27, 2009

Caltrain has postponed indefinitely a project to replace the railroad bridges that cross Tilton, Monte Diablo, Santa Inez and Poplar avenues in San Mateo.

Engineering studies have established that the life of the bridges can be extended by seismically retrofitting them. New foundations will be built under the supports and the bridges will be maintained and kept in a state-of-good repair. It is anticipated that the bridges will be replaced in the future, possibly as part of the California High-Speed Rail project, which will operate on Caltrain’s right of way.

The retrofit project does not require the removal of any trees on the railroad’s right of way between Tilton and Poplar avenues.

It is anticipated that work on the retrofit project will begin in early 2010. All of the work will be done at the street level, in and around the bridge foundations. The construction will require some partial lane closures.

Caltrain is assessing its extensive capital program to better coordinate with high-speed rail and to make certain that today’s investments are not deemed obsolete in the near future.

For more information, call the Caltrain construction outreach specialist at 650.508.7726.