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Santa Fe Springs wins $2.64 million FRA grant for Norwalk/Los Nietos grade separation studies
Summary
The Federal Railroad Administration awarded Santa Fe Springs $2,640,000 to fund preliminary engineering, environmental review and 35% design for a proposed grade separation at the Norwalk/Los Nietos crossings; BNSF and the city are each contributing $330,000.
The City of Santa Fe Springs received notification this week that the Federal Railroad Administration has approved the city's request for $2,640,000 to study a proposed grade separation at the Norwalk/Los Nietos at‑grade crossings, Public Works Director James Enriquez told the City Council.
The grant will fund an alternatives analysis, environmental clearance and a 35% design. Enriquez said the city is partnering with BNSF Railway, which is contributing $330,000, and the city has committed an additional $330,000, bringing the total study budget to $3,300,000.
"This will pay for the alternative analysis for a grade separation, environmental clearance, and a 35% design," said James Enriquez, Public Works Director. He said completing the design would position the city to apply for construction funding in the future.
Enriquez said the planning and design phase is expected to take about two years, with construction funding to be sought afterward. "So, realistically, from beginning to end, we're looking at about 2030," Enriquez said; a council member later quoted an alternate completion year, "2033," during discussion of overall timelines.
Council members asked whether the city will serve as lead agency for the study. "So we are the lead agency," Enriquez replied, adding the city will work with a team of consultants and partner with BNSF Railway, which owns the track.
Enriquez said the work will provide a clearer project definition needed to pursue construction grants in later rounds, and he described the authorization from the FRA as the full amount the city requested. No council action was recorded on the item at the meeting; the report was informational and described next steps for design and grant-seeking.
Background: the council previously authorized the city's FRA application in September (not specified in this meeting for which specific resolution or minute number). No construction funding was approved at this meeting.
