Traffic Alert for Rail Crossings

* Re “Alameda Corridor, L.A.’s secret project,” the Sept. 2 editorial which discussed its economic boon to cities like Carson, Compton, Lynwood, South Gate, Huntington Park and Vernon:

The point neglected was the economic destruction to cities in Orange County, which have done nothing to plan for this much needed improvement.

Once those billions of tons of freight are trucked and trained to the Los Angeles rail yards, they are sorted for delivery across the country. Most of that freight will be sent by train using the railroad right of way which crosses Orange County on its way to San Bernardino and on to the Eastern U.S.

That right of way in Orange County intersects some of the most heavily used north-south streets, namely from Raymond Street to Imperial Highway. No provisions have been made to build bridges over or under those tracks. As a result, when the Alameda Corridor is finished, the next great bottlenecks will appear at those train crossings. Orange County residents will still be waiting for a break in traffic--train traffic.

The Orange County Transportation Authority has not come to any definitive plan to correct the problem. We cannot afford to wait till 2001. We will be another decade planning, budgeting and building those crossings. I suggest that OCTA needs to act now.

PAUL BOSTWICK

Anaheim

* The Times is to be commended for supporting the $2-billion Alameda Corridor project that will enhance the flow of rail freight between the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles and the downtown Los Angeles rail yard.

We all see the economic benefit in increased oceanic trade with Pacific Rim countries. But your editorial overlooks the automobile traffic impact in north Orange County of increasing the number of trains on the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railway transcontinental route.

Motorists experience 75,000 hours of delay each year at the 15 Orange County road crossings of the freight railroad tracks. Add more mile-long freight trains and traffic will be stalled behind crossing arms 205,000 hours in the year 2010.

Los Angeles County interests have a commitment for a $400-million federal loan and are seeking further federal grant funding for the Alameda Corridor. The railroad bed is to be depressed so 22 streets can cross overhead.

OCTA, meanwhile, is requesting federal authorization to share costs of grade separating street crossings of the railroad tracks in north Orange County. Our request is for $38 million of federal money over five years, toward an eventual $202 million full cost of overpasses, underpasses and street closures.

The Orangethorpe Corridor will be significantly impacted by the planned expansion of the Alameda Corridor. Traffic delay is a major concern. More awareness is needed of this Los Angeles and Orange County rail freight connection.

ROBERT P. WAHLSTROM

Chairman

Orange County Transportation Authority