ACE ALERT
Volume no. 1, Issue no. 1

Welcome to the ACE Alert, an email newsletter updating you with the latest news about the ACE Project. To receive the newsletter via email, click on "Contact Us," and then click on "Click here to send an Email." To unsubscribe, please follow the same procedures or call the ACE Helpline at (888) ACE-1426. Thank you for your interest in the ACE Project!

CREATING JOBS FOR SAN GABRIEL VALLEY RESIDENTS

At a time when job creation is a major challenge for our state and our nation, the Alameda Corridor-East (ACE) Project is delivering work to our region. With an ambitious construction program of safety and congestion-relief improvements along the freight rail corridors in the San Gabriel Valley, ACE will continue to provide work for local firms and residents, delivering vital stimulus to our regional economy. More than 1 in every 5 construction workers hired to work on projects being built by ACE is a resident of the San Gabriel Valley. ACE is required by federal regulation to award contracts to the responsible bidder with the lowest bid, without consideration of the geographic location of the bidding firm or the residence of the workers. Nonetheless, there has been extensive outreach to San Gabriel Valley businesses for potential bidding opportunities. To date, more than 430 construction workers have become part of the ACE team and 22% reside in the Valley. For additional information about ACE contracting opportunities, please click here.

DELIVERING SAFETY TO THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

A recent Los Angeles Times article notes that 3,000 collisions between trains and vehicles occur each year nationwide, killing more than 300 people. It is sobering to note that 34 people have been killed at San Gabriel Valley rail crossings alone in the past 13 years. The article points out the importance of designing safety systems that are responsive to driver behavior. We are nearly complete with our grade crossing safety improvements, which include the installation of four-quad gates, medians and new crossing warning systems that will prevent motorists from driving around lowered railroad gates and help discourage pedestrians from darting across the tracks. Of course, as the article notes, the most secure method of assuring driver and pedestrian safety is to grade separate the railroad from the roadway, as ACE will do at 20 of the Valley's most congested intersections. A recent police "crackdown" at one of ACE's upcoming grade separation sites netted 32 vehicle crossing violations in a 1/2 day period.

MAKING PROGRESS ON CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

ACE contractors continue to make progress in constructing a grade separation at Nogales Street and Valley Boulevard on the border of the Cities of Industry and West Covina. Temporary detour roads have been constructed to relocate the existing intersection so that motorists and pedestrians are kept out of harm's way as work begins on the roadway excavation for the underpass. ACE has also conditionally awarded a contract for the construction of grade separations at East End Avenue and Reservoir Street in the City of Pomona with another grade crossing project construction contract in the City of El Monte anticipated to be awarded this fiscal year. Safety improvements have been completed at 39 railroad crossings and the innovative IR/RIS system to reroute traffic around clogged railroad crossings in the City of Pomona will be ready for testing by mid-year. For additional information regarding the Nogales Street grade separation project, please click here. For additional information regarding the East End/Reservoir project, please click here.

ACE PROJECT VIDEO AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING

ACE recently completed a 10 minute video regarding the ACE projects that is available for viewing. This 10-minute video visually shows the progress being made on the ACE Project in improving safety, mobility, air quality and economic vitality in the San Gabriel Valley. The video will be updated twice a year as ACE achieves major milestones in constructing traffic underpasses and roadway and railway improvements along the UPRR railroad corridors in our Valley. ACE has arranged for the video to be broadcast on local public access cable channels in the San Gabriel Valley. ACE also plans to use the video in making presentations to the business community, local impacted schools and homeowner associations. If you would like a copy of the ACE video, please call (888) ACE-1426.

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