FULLERTON : Proposed Underpass Divides Neighbors

With two children in tow, Emma Zarate hurriedly pushed a cart full of groceries across the five sets of railroad tracks on Highland Avenue on Thursday, just seconds before the barrier arms lowered and a freight sounded its whistle.

“We cross the tracks every day, sometimes twice a day, to get to the church, the stores and the library on the other side,” said Zarate, who lives on Valencia Avenue. “It’s frightening. I would be happier if there was a better way to get across.”

The city has a plan to solve her problem by building an $8.5-million underpass at the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe tracks. But since the underpass was proposed two years ago, people from all over the city, including community activists, church leaders and politicians, have been locked in bitter debate.

“I say just leave it as it is,” said Felipe Cuevas, who lives south of the tracks. “Nobody’s ever been killed crossing the tracks, and an underpass would [attract] criminal activity.”

Highland Avenue business owners, who stand to lose customers during the two-year construction or even to lose property through condemnation, agree with Cuevas.

They say a poorly lit underpass could attract vandals and muggers, and that homeless people might use it for shelter.

But city officials say the proposed underpass would be well lighted and frequently patrolled by police and would provide safer crossing for pedestrians.

The city would have to condemn portions of two properties, an action that would require approval of at least four of the five council members, for the project to move forward. Only three council members voted in favor of the project at a meeting earlier this year, and one, Mayor Julie Sa, said she would not favor taking property through eminent domain.

The council will vote on condemnation July 5. If more than one council member opposes it, the project will die and a $6.67-million grant to help fund it will be returned to the federal government.