Rail Project Supports Business Growth, Environment in L.A. Area

With the slice of a ribbon Union Pacific CEO Jack Koraleski and Union Pacific's partners signaled completion of Colton Crossing, a long awaited public-private project.

Construction on the Colton flyover began in 2011, elevating Union Pacific's east/west tracks over existing north/south BNSF tracks to dramatically improve fluidity at the 131-year-old rail intersection.

Colton Crossing will not only lessen rail congestion, but will also reduce delays for motorists at area rail crossings, decrease noise and air emissions from idling locomotives, expedite freight movement and improve passenger train schedules, ultimately supporting business growth in Los Angeles and California's Inland Empire.

Before the flyover's construction, Colton Crossing was one of the nation's busiest at-grade rail-to-rail crossings, accommodating daily more than 100 trains, carrying freight and passengers.

Federal, state and local government funding, coupled with private dollars from Union Pacific and BNSF Railway, made the project possible.