PROJECT BACKGROUND

1. When was the Fremont Grade Separation project first conceived? How were the designs chosen?
2. What is the purpose of the project?
3. Was the earthquake fault line taken into consideration in planning this project?
4. Where will the new intersection between Washington Boulevard and Driscoll and Osgood Roads be after the project is complete?
5. What will the final landscaping of the roadways look like?
6. What type of environmental studies were done for this project?
7. How does this project relate to the proposed BART to Warm Springs extension?

PROJECT SCHEDULE AND FUNDING

1. How long will construction take and how will it be staged? Will both separations be constructed at the same time?
2. What is the cost of construction for this project and who is paying for it?

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING CONSTRUCTION

1. What are the approximate hours of construction?
2. How will construction of the grade separations affect traffic in my neighborhood?
3. Are there plans to minimize the noise and dust from construction?
4. Will the relocation of the Union Pacific tracks increase noise at my house?
5. Will the welcome sign to the Irvington Business District be replaced once the project is complete?

PUBLIC OUTREACH

1. How will I be kept informed of the progress of the project?
2. Who can I contact if I have questions about the project or construction?

PROJECT BACKGROUND

When was the Fremont Grade Separation project first conceived? How were the designs chosen?

The project reflects years of planning and analysis of multiple options, beginning in the late 90s, with city staff discussion of ways to create a safer passage for trains and vehicles and to accommodate BART in the future. A project study team then identified and evaluated numerous alternatives, looking at such factors as public input, location, land use, vegetation, cost, feasibility, and potential impacts. Community input has been obtained throughout the development of the project through workshops and other means. Final design was decided after the preliminary engineering phase in 2002 based on community input, available funding and City Council direction.

What is the purpose of the project?

The Grade Separation Project will help improve safety and traffic delays and eliminate the need for trains to sound their horns when approaching and crossing Washington Boulevard and Paseo Padre Parkway. In turn, eliminating traffic backups at train crossings will help reduce cut-through traffic on neighborhood streets and improve safety in the area by separating vehicles from the railroad tracks. In addition, the project will facilitate extension of BART from the Downtown Fremont Station to a new station in Warm Springs to proceed at grade within the current railroad right of way. The grade separation would allow BART to travel over the depressed Paseo Padre Parkway on a bridge structure (to be paid for by BART) and continue relatively at ground level, passing under the future Washington Boulevard overpass.

Was the earthquake fault line taken into consideration in planning this project?

Yes, all retaining walls and bridge structures are designed to the latest seismic codes.

Where will the new intersection between Washington Boulevard and Driscoll and Osgood Roads be after the project is complete?

When the project is complete, Driscoll/Osgood Roads and Washington Boulevard will connect at the existing intersection, which will be raised 25 feet higher than its current elevation.

What will the final landscaping of the roadways look like?

The basic landscaping plan calls for trees and grasses to be planted throughout the project area. New trees will be planted within the project area to replace the trees that must be removed. If the project construction bids come in less than estimated, the City Council may choose to add additional landscaping features, including more flowers and bushes to fill in over and above the grasses.

What type of environmental studies were done for this project?

During the planning and preliminary engineering phase, the City conducted a wide range of environmental studies including biological, noise, hazardous materials, cultural resources and visual studies. These studies helped the City design the grade separations to best meet the transportation needs of the City while reducing potential environmental effects to the extent possible. The biological studies were also necessary to obtain permits for construction of the grade separations from the California Department of Fish and Game, US Army Corps of Engineering, and US Fish and Wildlife Service.

How does this project relate to the proposed BART to Warm Springs extension?

The Fremont Grade Separation Project team has coordinated with BART throughout planning and design and will continue to coordinate throughout construction. Please note that BART has conducted a separate environmental review for the BART to Warm Springs Station project, which is available at Fremont Central Library or City Hall. You are encouraged to review the BART environmental documents for more detail on their plans and environmental findings. Note that City staff will continue to work with BART as the Warm Springs design proceeds in order to ensure all impacts are kept to a minimum. The current schedule calls for the BART Warm Springs Extension to begin construction no sooner than 2007 and only if full funding can be secured. For more information on the Warm Springs project visit http://bart.gov/about/projects/warmSprings.asp.

PROJECT SCHEDULE AND FUNDING

How long will construction take and how will it be staged? Will both separations be constructed at the same time?

Major construction involving road detours, railroad relocation, and work on the Washington Boulevard bridge and the Paseo Padre underpass is expected to take approximately three years between mid 2007 and mid 2010. Preparation work for the project began in Summer 2005. The two grade separations (at Paseo Padre and Washington) will be constructed concurrently because they both must accommodate the relocated railroad tracks without disrupting service to Union Pacific Railroad. In addition, traffic must be maintained along Paseo Padre Parkway and Washington Boulevard throughout construction. There will be some temporary, construction-related disruption for through traffic along Driscoll and Osgood Roads for short periods of time when traffic is transferred on and off of the new detour roads. Specific detour signs and flyers will be prepared prior to the start of any detours.

What is the cost of construction for this project and who is paying for it?

The current construction cost estimate for this project is approximately $49 million. Funding for this project comes from the City of Fremont (traffic impact fees and redevelopment funds), Alameda County Measure B half cent sales tax funds, the State of California’s State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), the Congestion Management Agency (CMA), Regional Measure 2 (toll bridge), and a State Grade Separation Grant.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING CONSTRUCTION

What are the approximate hours of construction?

Generally, the City of Fremont permits construction to occur from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 5 a.m. on Sunday, although special circumstances might warrant different hours for some portions of construction. If special circumstances require different hours the communities affected by this change will be notified.

How will construction of the grade separations affect traffic in my neighborhood?

When complete, the project will improve local traffic conditions by eliminating backups at train crossings, which in turn will help reduce cut-through traffic on neighborhood streets. During construction, some traffic detours will be necessary. The detours have been designed to have as little impact on residential areas as possible and yet keep travelers moving. The City will provide extensive advance public notice of the schedule and location of detour routes and will place street signage to help direct motorists.

Are there plans to minimize the noise and dust from construction?

Every effort will be made to keep noise to a minimum and keeping work hours to daytime hours whenever possible. To control dust, crews will water the site to reduce dust in the construction area.

Will the relocation of the Union Pacific tracks increase noise at my house?

A noise study was prepared for the project in March 2002 that evaluated the existing and future noise levels in neighborhoods surrounding both the Washington Boulevard and Paseo Padre Parkway grade separations. According to the noise study, the project when completed will actually result in reduced noise levels compared to pre-project conditions. Part of the reason for the decrease is the project, by creating grade separations at both Paseo Padre Parkway and Washington Boulevard, will eliminate the need for trains to sound their horns when approaching and crossing these areas. In addition, the rail line will be relocated to the center of the area between Paseo Padre Parkway and Washington Boulevard so that trains traveling thought the area will be away from most residences.

Will the welcome sign to the Irvington Business District be replaced once the project is complete?

As part of the project, the Irvington Business District welcome sign, located at the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Driscoll Road will be temporarily removed during construction and replaced after construction is complete.

PUBLIC OUTREACH

How will I be kept informed of the progress of the project?

The City has an extensive public outreach plan in place to ensure the community is kept informed of the progress of the project and construction activities. Several outreach tools will be used including distributing periodic newsletters (The Link) that outline overall project progress and distributing specific notices of upcoming construction activities to adjacent areas throughout the project. A project website has been set up to inform the public about the project. The website will be updated throughout the project with information on construction activities, upcoming detours, overall progress, and meeting announcements. Newspaper ads and street signs also will be posted in advance of construction detours. The City will also hold public meetings, as needed, and will provide updates at the meetings of local homeowners and business organizations. Please contact us if you’d like to arrange a presentation for your group.

Who can I contact if I have questions about the project or construction?

Please call the project infoline number at (510) 273-2488 and a project team member will return your call or meet with you directly to address any questions or concerns you may have. You can also email us at info@fremontgradesep.com. If you would like to be added to the project mailing list to receive The Link project progress newsletter or other construction updates, please provide us with your contact information and mailing address.