Signal and rail-safety work near Pacific and Bogart nears finish; quiet zone still years away

Daniel Padilla, Baldwin Park director of public works, updated the City Council on Sept. 17 on the Pacific and Bogart traffic-signal and rail-safety improvements, saying poles and mast arms are installed and that "the controller and cabinet" have just been received and are being coordinated for testing with the county. He said the project installs raised medians, pavement overlay, railroad crossing gates and a new preemptive timing that will override traffic-control when a train is approaching.

Padilla reported the contract was awarded March 20, 2024, to Belco Eleknor for about $1,800,000 and that only limited change orders (about $7,800) were recorded, mainly for two pedestrian swing gates. He said procurement and long-lead items paused many working days; the contract originally allowed 90 working days, and staff now targets mid- to late-October to turn on the signal.

When asked how soon the city could stop Metrolink from sounding train horns, Padilla said work at two other crossings (Merced Avenue and Mac Debit) is still required and estimated that establishing a quiet zone would be "probably several years." He told the council the project also requires coordination with the county, Metro, the California Public Utilities Commission and federal funding partners.

Remaining on the contractor's scope, Padilla said, are striping, vehicle-detection loops, installation and testing of the signal controller and cabinet, handrails and signage, pedestrian barricades and fencing. No formal council action or vote occurred; the item was presented as a construction-status update.