BUENA PARK : City Seeks Grant for Street Improvement

The city plans to apply for $1 million in grant money to help pay the cost of a $9.6-million project to make traffic-safety improvements on Dale Street.

The project includes widening the street to two lanes in each direction between Artesia Boulevard and Malvern Avenue and building an underpass at the railroad crossing.

Funding for the project will come from local, county and state money, which includes $5 million from the state Public Utilities Commission, said Donald K. Jensen, director of public works.

Construction could start in mid-1994, Jensen said.

The City Council last week approved the city’s application for the Orange County Transportation Authority grant money. Jensen said the money is needed to pay for the cost to add a third railroad track.

He said that all new grade separations on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway must be built for triple tracks.

Jensen said the center track will be designated for freight train traffic with the two outer tracks used for commuter railways. Amtrak and Metro Link currently use the rail line.

Of the project’s total cost, Jensen said, $2 million will be spent to accommodate the third track as well as track spacing.

Jensen also said that the addition of a commuter rail stop in the Dale Street area is still being considered. No formal action has been taken.

The project will also include improvements to the intersection of Dale Street and Malvern Avenue to improve traffic flow. Jensen said improvements also may include the realignment of Dale Street.

An environmental document regarding the realignment is expected to be available for public review within the next two weeks, Jensen said, with a public hearing on the issue expected in late November or early December.