Update of as Thursday, August 11, 2011:
Part II (of I-III)
The Milliken Ave. Flyover
Ontario, CA
The site was visited this date, and so much activity was taking place that documenting photography was very limited. Nevertheless, a few safe, out of the way photos were taken.
Unlike the previous report, the pile driver was no longer on the east side of Milliken Ave., but now right in the middle of the busy street. Those long, square 'rods' were being positioned into a deeply drilled hole and then pounded the rest of the way into the ground. In this particular view, the pile driver was probably 50 feet from the track.
But, it soon got close to the track.
A 'nerves of steel' white hatted type went way up ... and then came down the pile driver! He must have had a view of the Sunset Route few, if any, of us will ever see!
And, then the pounding began anew.
Continued in Part III
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- K.P.’s absolute “theorem” from early, early childhood that he has seen over and over and over again: Those that CAUSE a problem in the first place will act the most violently if questioned or exposed.
Part III (of I-III)
A skilled professional with presumably surveying equipment showed up and methodically started doing his thing.
Flagmen were on site and directing truck after truck after truck after truck in and out of the site. The logistics operation was a show in itself!
(K.P. wonders if a construction site 'dispatcher' arranged 'meets' on a narrow, hemmed-in single-lane dirt road along the southwest side of the future flyover!)
And, of course, trains passing were a show in themselves too ...
... and all the vehicle traffic would backup when the trains came!
K. P. Harrier ... snip ..Will the SP rail line between CP AL531 SOUTH FONTANA and CP AL533 SIERRA be two-tracked soon?
BTW the latest ACE agenda still shows the same old status of the Temple Ave diversion: "awaiting Billboard Sign to be relocated by Clear Channel" and "awaiting KM (Kinder Morgan) to finish its oil line relocation/protection". Perhaps like the I-10 billboards, the SR-57 one will go 'poof' suddenly.
Also, a Walnut city council meeting revealed that the proposed design for the Fairway Drive grade separation is a railroad overcrossing (flyover). The Alhambra sub is looking more and more like a roller coaster every day. Keep those spare drawbars handy!
Links to my Google Maps ---> Sunset Route overview, SoCal metro, Yuma sub, Gila sub, SR east of Tucson, BNSF Northern Transcon and Southern Transcon *** Why you should support Ukraine! ***
Update as of Wednesday, August 17, 2011:
Part A (of A-D)
Advertising Signs
Fontana, CA
Last week it was reported to the forum that the advertising signs along I-10 between Citrus and Sierra Avenues that were in the way of a second main are now gone.
PHOTO #1:
The way things use to look from Cypress Ave looking west., nearly a year ago, on August 25, 2010:
PHOTO #2::
Now, all the advertising signs are gone!
PHOTO #3:
The way it used to be looking east.
PHOTO #4:
Looking east now: The camera is on the west side sidewalk looking through the wire meshing of the east side.
Continued in Part B
Part B (of A-D)
PHOTO #5:
A present view looking west:
The future Main 1 (to be laid on the above photo's RIGHT) may or may not have sufficient overpass side clearance.
PHOTO #6:
The similar close clearance of the overpass at Sierra Ave. seems to be sufficiently clear. Main 1 (left) there at IS in service.
In the distance of Photo #5, CP AL531 SOUTH FONTANA is seen. Theoretically, the future Main 1 (right) could easily connect to the present South Fontana siding (photo right, background), for a two through track arrangement.
The west end of that siding (CP AL529 SOUTH FONTANA) may be where the future CP KAISER will be located.
Continued in Part C
Part C (of A-D)
The Magnolia Ave. Underpass
Riverside, CA
PHOTOS #7 and 8:
K.P. found the Magnolia Ave. underpass in an unusual state, with southbound vehicle traffic using a grade separated lane below ground while northbound traffic continued to use the grade crossing (upper left, though the northbound crossing gate is unseen). View is from the north side.
PHOTO #9:
From underneath looking northward:
Continued in Part D
Part D (of A-D)
PHOTO #10
From the north side looking southward:
PHOTO #11
Underneath: Unpainted and rusted, welded without rivets. And, two-tracks wide.
PHOTO #12:
An odd angle:
PHOTO #13:
Even with only a single-lane in use, motorist never had it so good at train time!
Progress is moving alone quickly, and undoubtedly two-way traffic at post time (or soon afterward) will be using both roadway lanes of the underpass. And, then the other roadway under the bridging can be worked on.
Update as of Saturday, August 20, 2011:
Part I (of I-IV)
Pomona-Ontario, CA
The big, future CP AL514 HAMILTON area was checked out, and nothing appeared to be progressing.
The new masts at LA&SL's CP C038 ONTARIO were still headless, and no further progress seems to have been done there as well.
However, a new, signal bridge vertical structure part lying down was spotted at the Campus Ave. signal yard.
A horizontal section was also present, which looked like for either two or three-tracks.
The destination for these new items is unknown, but K.P. sees several possibilities. One is by the Kaiser Yard or perhaps CP AL531 SOUTH FONTANA when the second Main is laid eastward to CP AL533 SIERRA. Another is in Pomona, at the missing signals at the west end of the future CP AL514 HAMILTON, though that possibility seems less likely.
Continued in Part II
Part II (of I-IV)
A pile driver type machine was previously on the east side of Milliken Ave, then in the middle of the thoroughfare. Now it was found on the west side.
A number of the long, square 'rods' were stacked up on the west side as well:
One had been pile-driven into the ground.
Part III (of I-IV)
An interesting makeshift item had been constructed, which looks like some kind of protection for pedestrians. A northward view:
The orange sign on the upper left of the above photo says "Rail Road Crossing." The counterpart on the other end (behind the camera) says "Truck Crossing."
A southward view:
The west side, strange concrete, repetitive cross-walling seems to be overlaid with dirt now.
Continued in Part IV
Part IV (of I-IV)
Looking east now, preliminary metalwork for some kind of concrete walling:
Another view of that preliminary walling:
A different set of heavy machines are now present along the right-of-way on the east side of Milliken Ave.
While nothing dramatic has taken place, little at a time bits and pieces are coming together.
--------
K.P. hopes to post some replies in the next several days.
A press release link from another site starts: "San Pedro & Southwestern Railroad has begun service to the Central Arizona Commerce Park (CAZCP) in Casa Grande, Ariz., by bringing in a boxcar of newsprint for CAZCP's first customer, Casa Grande Valley Newspapers.
SPSR has been under contract with developers since 2009 to link the 580-acre industrial park with the Union Pacific main line."
The CAZCP appears to be connected by a lead from the sidings west of Thornton Road (see bookmark on The Map). Perhaps this PR event indicates that some new trackage is in service. Also, taking the Toltec siding out of service several weeks ago seemed like pretty aggressive scheduling to me.
Current temperature in Casa Grande: 111 degrees F. Mmmm, mmmm, toasty.
MikeF90 A press release link from another site starts: "San Pedro & Southwestern Railroad has begun service to the Central Arizona Commerce Park (CAZCP) in Casa Grande, Ariz., by bringing in a boxcar of newsprint for CAZCP's first customer, Casa Grande Valley Newspapers. SPSR has been under contract with developers since 2009 to link the 580-acre industrial park with the Union Pacific main line." The CAZCP appears to be connected by a lead from the sidings west of Thornton Road (see bookmark on The Map). Perhaps this indicates that some new trackage is in service. Also, taking the Toltec siding out of service several weeks ago seemed like pretty aggressive scheduling to me. Current temperature in Casa Grande: 111 degrees F. Mmmm, mmmm, toasty.
The CAZCP appears to be connected by a lead from the sidings west of Thornton Road (see bookmark on The Map). Perhaps this indicates that some new trackage is in service. Also, taking the Toltec siding out of service several weeks ago seemed like pretty aggressive scheduling to me.
MikeF90,
This has been in the wings, so to speak, for well over a year, including the CAZCP website with the photo of the SPSW geep. Every time I have visited C.G. recently , I have looked in vain for the unit, so it's good to know that something is happening at last.
The lead into the industrial park originally connected directly to the Casa Grande passing siding. When they built the yard, they increased the curvature of the lead to link it up to the two yard tracks that were built alongside the siding and closer to the parallel street, W. Main Ave. There is a second lead that branches off at the same point to serve Cemex, which for the moment is dormant.There is a lot of industry in the park already. I don't know where the newspaper is receiving its paper, but they used to transload carloads at the old depot downtown up until four or five years ago.
Thanks for the update.
John Timm
Current temperature (3:45 PM MST) here in North Scottsdale at 2400 ft. AMSL is 110 degrees. I cannot imagine what it is at lower elevations.
Quick note on the company doing the work on the flyover.
Foundation Pile Driving is located in Fontana.
http://www.foundationpiledriving.com/
I used to do some work around their yard back in the late 90's. Great group of guys, they actually build the prestresssed concrete piers in their yard. It is quite an operation. I see their crews all over California. They are currently driving the piles for our new corporate HQ in Sunnyvale, CA
There is not a shortage of testosterone with the guys who do that job.
Robert
Some Replies
cacole (8-6):
Since UP's bid for track laying adjacent Marsh Station Rd. in Arizona is public, I take it UP was the winning bidder.
From your descriptive input, cacole, it does sound like everything would be finished by the end of December, as far as the railroad line relocation is concerned.
It is odd that the Empirita Rd. to Marsha Station Rd. freeway section will be redone after it was redone just a few years ago. Maybe it is one of those progressive type things.
In California, west of Cajon Pass, the narrow, two-lane Highway 138 was rebuilt with paved new shoulders. It was still two-lanes, but with the shoulders, it was much safer to drive the deadly highway. Next year Caltrans will five-lane that same area. Such was known when the shoulders were put it, so it appears it is a progressive situation, where they will pave over what was done just several years previously. Of course, they didn't have the money earlier, but now they apparently do!
Perhaps Arizona's I-10 between Empirita Rd. and Marsha Station Rd. is something like Highway 138 in California. But, that is just a possibility.
desertdog (8-6):
There are companies out there that can lay track (by Marsh Station Rd.). My guess, though, is that others were committed elsewhere, or couldn't complete with someone (UP) laying track on a large scale in the area.
MikeF90 (8-8/14):
Intermediate signals at the top of the Milliken Ave. Flyover (M.P. 525.40) seemingly would be placed just about right for the future CP VINA VISTA a couple of miles to the east. Of course, that is presuming the line is two-tracked, and the Guasti CTC siding just to the west becomes part of the second-main.
About your 'discovery' that 'the New, Industry and Marne sidings' are all connected together ... wait till the Bassett siding is added to the list, and the Industry 'Up and Over' has the second main laid over it!
(I still remember, Mike, when you and I first met on Valley Blvd. by the west slope of the 'Up and Over.')
Thanks for the excellent news item link about the proposed Fairway Ave. flyover (Alhambra Sub). Great material that link had. That flyover will be a first for me. I've never seen a flyover built on a swooping curve.
All the universal (double) crossovers associated with West Colton Yard are rather close together, just a few miles apart: CP AL533 SIERRA (M.P. 532.4), CP AL534 CEDAR (M.P. 534.7), and CP SP538 RANCHO (M.P. 538.5). And, then comes (at some unknown time in the future, but probably soon) track laying between CP AL533 SIERRA and CP AL531 SOUTH FONTANA ...
What will the current CP AL531 SOUTH FONTANA become? Presently:
DIAGRAM #1:
Will it become simply a single switch CP?
DIAGRAM #2:
Or, a three switch location?
DIAGRAM #3:
And, then, what will happen by Cherry Ave., where CP AL529 SOUTH FONTANA is located at? Is this the location of the planned CP KAISER? Presently:
DIAGRAM #4:
Will it eventually look like this?
DIAGRAM #5:
Of course, from a previous discussion with a UP man in the know, CP KAISER (wherever it will be) is supposed to be a universal crossover arrangement.
DIAGRAM #6:
Personally, MikeF90, somehow I think Diagrams 2 and 6 will be the final arrangement. But, again, that is only conjectural.
I have NOT been by Temple Ave. in Pomona of late, so am not aware of the status of the billboard by the 57 Freeway. You know, Mike, when the Diversion is fully operational, it sure will seem strange not having a grade crossing on Temple Ave. at Valley Blvd. anymore.
MikeF90 and desertdog (8-24):
It sounds like the Central Arizona Commerce Park (CAZCP) in Casa Grande, AZ is quite a place. I had no idea it was even there. Next time I'm in Arizona (whenever that will be), I should get some photos.
It was hoped a California-Arizona round trip could be made in one day and photo document everything, but the more I'm hearing, I might have to overnight at a motel again to document everything.
rdamon (8-26):
That was a great link concerning pile driving for the Milliken Ave. flyover. And, your personal experience with the company added life to the knowledge of the outfit. And, yes, they seem to be a very friendly lot!
Everyone stay safe,
K.P.
K.P., after looking at all of the new signals near Fontana my speculation brain is definitely dizzy.
- The EB signal bridge for AL533 implies more crossovers - I have no idea why. Replacement for AL534? Sure would be nice to hear from a hoghead to know if it can be easily seen from west of Cypress Ave.
- The signal mast configurations at AL531 and AL529 are likely temporary - the siding will certainly be absorbed into the second main.
After reconsidering a new Milliken Ave intermediate signal my brain channeled Homer Simpson (DOH!). Any high speed universal x-over would have to be at least 1.5 miles from there! Therefore, I believe that your 'insiders' referring to Vina Vista and CP Kaiser are referring to the same place - probably MP 527.? between I-15 and Etiwanda Ave. Speculation subject to change based on new photos .
MikeF90 (8-28):
All the new signals in the Fontana, CA area kind of makes one 'dizzy' for sure. But, having been by the CP sites a number of times (and with a stash of resultant photos available to reference), let me try to clarify matters.
(1) By having a full set of crossovers at each end of the Receiving Yard (i.e., CP AL533 SIERRA on the west end, and CP AL534 CEDAR on the east end), there is complete flexibility for any movements.
A diagram of the eventual track layout of CP 533 SIERRA, as I perceive it:
An old, previously shown westward view from Sierra Ave. and the incomplete CP AL533 SIERRA (the advertising signs are now gone):
In the above few-years-old and reshown photo, the above diagrammed upper left crossover switches are missing (upper photo right) because of the advertising signs were in the way (that recently were taken down).
(A side note: While it was not possible years ago, with the new trackwork, westbound trains can (and do) travel from Main 1 or 2 to the south siding, and then BACK into the Receiving Yard. Oh, how times have changed!)
A diagram of the Receiving Yard's east mainline connection:
(2) About the future CP VINA VISTA and CP KAISER, the informant specifically spoke of two separate locations. I've since concluded the two locations would be on each side of the Kaiser Yard, in various distances from it.
In looking at aerials of the general future CP VINA VISTA area (M.P. 526 WEST of Etiwanda Ave.) ...
http://mapq.st/qaBm41
... there seems to be much industrial trackage to switch, so unlike previously theorized, CP VINA VISTA will probably be another interlocking with 30 M.P.H. crossover switches, but that obviously will have to await the actual CP installation to confirm or be prove incorrect.
With that said, theoretically, it would seem a high-speed universal crossovers arrangement would be in order somewhere between Vineyard Ave. and Guasti by Ontario International Airport (OIA). Anything west of Vineyard Ave. would have a blocked grade crossings problem.
And, as you said, MikeF90, "Speculation subject to change ..."
Since the Fontana advertising signs are now down, one would think something two-tracking-wise should happen soon.
Update as of Monday, August 29, 2011:
Part A (of A-B)
Unexpected personal matters brought K.P. to I-10 between Colton and eastern Ontario, CA. Nothing was found reportable at Colton, Fontana, or in the Kaiser area. As expected, though, an update could be filed about the Milliken Ave. flyover project in Ontario.
A light greenish, temporary construction framing was on the southwest side of the Milliken Ave. grade crossing. The single-track mainline is just out of view on the photo bottom.
All the construction workers had gone home for the day. New items had been found to have been driven into the ground
Part B (of A-B)
Looking east, the walling seems to be getting higher, and now partially hides trains.
A north side eastward view:
Looking west again ... On the south side ...
On the north side ... A westward view giving a sense of just how close to the track construction is.
Slowly but surely progress is being made at the Milliken Ave. flyover construction site.
Update as of Wednesday, August 31, 2011:
CP C038 ONTARIO
The two unconnected cantilever signal structure parts at the signal dept. facility by Campus Ave. were still laying onsite, and nothing obvious was observed. However, it was thought ("thought") how wonderful it would be if a train would just happen to come along on the Ontario industrial track. When K.P. got to the industrial track a few city blocks to the west, and looked southward, why there was such a train just pulling up to the derail! (Note the curve on the below photo's lower right.)
Before K.P. could even get his camera out, a crewman disembarked and threw the purple disked derail, and the short train moved forward soon afterward. Lead engine UPY 2739 super quietly negotiated the curvy approach to the diamond and started across State St.
In SP days, the Ontario Branch went straight over the ground on the lower right.
The short train's end came ...
... with a crewman holding on on the rear.
No further obvious work on installing the new signals at CP C038 ONTARIO had been observed and all the newly erected signal masts remain headless.
What timing for this visit!
Previously, two lanes of the Magnolia Ave underpass had been paved and southbound vehicular traffic was routed under the UP tracks, with northbound vehicle traffic still using the grade crossing. Now, traffic was flowing in both directions
The old roadway had already been torn out and the now ex-grade crossing barricaded.
A southward view: Where the roadway was.
Vehicle traffic as viewed from the east side..
The old Staples parking lot access to Magnolia Ave. is now barricaded.
All the quiet zone horns starting blaring, and a Metrolink flew by (westbound, leftward, cab car leading) at the 50 M.P.H. track speed with one of the new cab cars leading. The underpass still has plenty of dirt showing and much to be done on it.
The Colton Signal Dept.
Colton, CA
That site was visited also, and while there were personnel on the property roving about, nothing reportable was observed.
A flashing traffic warning sign indicates that the new Marsh Station Road exit off of I-10 at the Cienega Creek project site in Arizona will be closed from September 6th through the 19th.
I don't think this has anything to do with the Union Pacific laying track on their new roadbed that runs parallel to the road, though, and is probably for some resurfacing of the older portions of Marsh Station Road, which is in really bad condition.
I'll check the area again on September 8th to see exactly what is going on. If the closure is to allow the Union Pacific to lay track, this will severely restrict photography.
Checking Out CP SP542 LOMA LINDA
September 6, 2011
A track renewal project on the western slope of Beaumont Hill is currently taking place. K.P. had a few minutes to spare on personal business, so the above CP was checked out. An eastward view from Hunter Lane, with the Waterman Ave. overpass in the background:
A westward view: A track machine was in the Ice Deck siding.
Construction on the Hunts Lane overpass has not started yet. The SANBAG website infers that an announcement about the winning bid contractor is soon, so we could very well see construction start in the near future.
On each side (west and east) of CP SP542 LOMA LINDA is a short stretch of target signals, implying new color light signals are awaiting the overpass construction and a possible new track arrangement in the area for the future.
Okay, K.P., you've got my attention. What is the "Ice Desk" siding? I can usually figure out names like "Old House Track" or whatever, but this one is real doozy.
desertdog (9-7):
Whoops! That "Ice Desk" siding is a typo! A bad one! It is supposed to be "Ice Deck" siding (and has since been corrected). Thanks for catching that. I'm getting too old for this. That kind of typos suggests I'm getting very close to Methuselah's age!
Hey, John ... I found something of interest on Maricopa, AZ! Watch for a couple of posts on it in the next day or two ... if I can last that long the way things obviously seem to be are going!
Any possibility, John, that you might brave the heat in Arizona and convey to the forum how the two-tracking is going there? At Methuselah's age, I don't know if I would make it anymore. (Hehehe.)
Take care, and stay COOL!!!
K. P. Harrier desertdog (9-7): Whoops! That "Ice Desk" siding is a typo! A bad one! It is supposed to be "Ice Deck" siding (and has since been corrected). Thanks for catching that. I'm getting too old for this. That kind of typos suggests I'm getting very close to Methuselah's age! Hey, John ... I found something of interest on Maricopa, AZ! Watch for a couple of posts on it in the next day or two ... if I can last that long the way things obviously seem to be are going! Any possibility, John, that you might brave the heat in Arizona and convey to the forum how the two-tracking is going there? At Methuselah's age, I don't know if I would make it anymore. (Hehehe.) Take care, and stay COOL!!! K.P.
KP.,
Yes, we have had record heat here for weeks on end and I, approaching the age of Moses myself, have been cautious to stay inside as much as possible, be it at home or on campus. That said, it is supposed to drop to double digits next week, so maybe, maybe, we will set out for a photo visit to the Gila Sub.
I am most interested in what you have found regarding Maricopa, so please share with us.John Timm
The Grade Separation in Maricopa, AZ
As followers of this thread know, there is a great need for a Union Pacific / Highway 347 grade separation in Maricopa, AZ.
A couple of months ago the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) requested bids for engineering studies for the site. Below are a few excerpts (underlining NOT important):
First: "Submit the Statement of Qualifications (SOQs) expressing interest in the project online following ECS online SOQ submittal guidelines until 2:00 pm (Arizona Time) on [Thursday, July 21, 2011]. No SOQs will be accepted after the date and time specified. Hard copies of SOQs will not be accepted. Oral interviews may be held in the selection process."
Second: "The selected Firm will provide professional engineering services for the preparation of a Design Concept Report (DCR), an Environmental Documentation (NEPA), associated studies and 15% design to identify the recommended improvement within the study corridor on SR 347 to provide a grade separation at the Union Pacific Railroad Crossing."
The point in this post is that something concrete is now brewing on a grade separation there. What the exact timing one can expect until a grade separation is actually started is unknown. Maybe someone here at the forum has experience on such things.
Next month, October 2011, the Colton Flyover in California is supposed to be started. That effort took a number of years to get to this point. Hopefully, the Maricopa, AZ project will consume less time.
The lengthy ADOT material can be read or reviewed at:
http://www.azdot.gov/highways/ECS/PDF/Package/11-25-soqpkg.pdf
The above, single January 29, 2010 photograph was taken to show how the single-track grade crossing was now a two-track grade crossing. But, background buildings are visible, and those buildings are in the way of additional vehicle lanes. ADOT wants to widen the four-lane Highway 347 to six-lanes through here. So, major property acquisitions will likely be necessary. And, if ADOT acquires the properties, there would be room then for a six-lane overpass, making any railroad flyover very unlikely.
Additional photos are provided, these taken July 12, 2011, just a few months ago. They, including the photo in Part A, show just how close the present businesses are to Highway 347, and should give the forum a good idea of exactly what ADOT is up against in widening that roadway.
Looking south at the southeast quadrant (beyond the tracks, background), with Highway 347 on the far right.
From the Amtrak station, looking at the southwest quadrant (across the street):
Towards the northwest side, looking westbound:
The urgency for a grade separation is obvious. The fact that ADOT is now putting scarce money into engineering studies for that grade separation is a positive sign.
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