ACE Construction Authority

Construction Alert - City of El Monte
Ramona Boulevard
English - Spanish - Chinese - Vietnamese
Other Construction Alerts - Fact Sheet

RAMONA BOULEVARD UNDERPASS AT RAILROAD CROSSING BEGINS CONTRUCTION

WHAT:
The Alameda Corridor – East Construction Authority (ACE) will commence construction of the Ramona Boulevard roadway underpass at the railroad crossing in the City of El Monte (see computer rendering of completed underpass above). Ramona Boulevard will be lowered 26 feet beneath the existing railroad tracks and two bridges will be built to carry railroad traffic over the lowered street. The newly configured boulevard will include pedestrian and motorist safety improvements and walkways with protective railing (see computer image above). Construction will require the full closure of Ramona Boulevard between Valley Boulevard and Orchard Street until Spring 2008 starting in Spring 2005 (see detour map on back). Local access to businesses and residences will be permitted. Through traffic will be detoured via Peck Rd. and Valley Blvd.
WHEN:
Full construction and the road closure will commence in Spring 2005 with completion of construction anticipated in Spring 2008. Construction will occur weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., unless otherwise authorized by city permit.
WHERE:
Construction will be focused on the railroad crossing on Ramona Boulevard between Cypress Avenue and Stewart Street in the City of El Monte.
DETOUR ROUTE:

CONSTRUCTION PHASING (ALL DATES APPROXIMATE)

PHASE 1 (SPRING 2005)
Major construction activities during Phase 1 of the project include the demolition of several buildings on Ramona Boulevard to make way for construction. Workers will install a new storm drain pipe across Ramona Boulevard west of the railroad crossing, and will bore telephone line ducts under the railroad. Work may require temporary Ramona Boulevard lane and street closures, with notice provided to the public.
PHASE 2 (SPRING/SUMMER 2005-WINTER 2006)
Ramona Boulevard will be closed to through traffic from Valley Boulevard to Peck Road, with local traffic permitted to Stewart Street and to the commercial businesses northeast of Valley Boulevard. Traffic will be diverted on Peck Road and Valley Boulevard, with key traffic signal and turning lane improvements implemented along the detour route to ease congestion. Cypress Avenue will be terminated at Iris Lane and the Cypress rail crossing will be closed permanently. Two railroad bridges will be built while Metrolink and freight trains are routed on temporary “shoofly” detour tracks that will be constructed to the northeast of the existing tracks within the railroad right-of-way. Retaining walls will be excavated and constructed within the bridge area.
PHASE 3 (WINTER 2006-WINTER 2007-2008)
Trains will be routed back to the completed railroad bridges and the shoofly will be dismantled. Retaining walls will be constructed on Ramona Boulevard and the roadway will be excavated. Utilities will be constructed underneath Ramona Boulevard. Portions of Ramona Boulevard will be closed to permit roadway improvements to be constructed at the intersections with Stewart Street and with Orchard Street/Lee Lane, including the installation of a new traffic signal at Orchard Street/Lee Lane. Upon the completion of major construction, the Ramona Boulevard underpass will be opened to vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

If you have any questions, comments or need latest construction information please call the project Helpline at (888) ACE-1426 or visit the project website at www.theaceproject.org. Thank you for your patience and cooperation!