PLACENTIA

After nearly a year of reviewing costs and concerns about increased vehicular and train traffic, council members tonight are expected to designate the railroad lowering option as the preferred choice to alleviate congestion. That would run counter to a 1996 recommendation by the Orange County Transportation Authority calling for standard grade separations on the tracks along the Orangethorpe Avenue Corridor.

Train traffic is projected to increase by at least 100% in the next 20 years. Lowering the 4.2 miles of tracks would eliminate the need to condemn homes and businesses to build overpasses or underpasses, reduce noise and improve safety, public works officials say. The council meets at 7 p.m. in chambers, 401 E. Chapman Ave.