NEWS RELEASE: Progress Continues in Fresno County with Opening of American Avenue Overpass

Nov 16 2020 Fresno County

Today, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) announced the opening of the American Avenue overpass in Fresno County. American Avenue is one of 11 grade separations in Fresno County completed for future high-speed rail construction, and is the fifth high-speed rail structure to open in the Central Valley in the last three months.

“With 119 miles under design and construction and 171 miles environmentally cleared, the high-speed rail project is making significant progress,” said Interim Central Regional Director, Garth Fernandez. “The opening of American Avenue allows us to start construction on the next overpass in Fresno County, which in turn will create more Central Valley jobs.”

The completed overpass is located on American Avenue between Maple and Cedar avenues in Fresno County. The structure spans more than 353 feet long, 43 feet wide and reaches 40 feet at its highest point. The overpass allows traffic to cross over the future high-speed rail system and existing BNSF rail line. The completion of this overpass removed an existing railroad track crossing, allowing for unrestricted travel without dangerous cross traffic or air quality impacts due to idling vehicles.

The announcement follows the recent openings of the Avenue 10, Avenue 15 and Avenue 7 overpasses in Madera County.

This project is part of Construction Package 1, the first 32-mile construction area that stretches from Avenue 19 in Madera County to East American Avenue in Fresno County.

Since the start of construction, nearly 4,500 construction jobs have been created for men and women working on the high-speed rail project.

For more information on active construction visit: www.buildhsr.com.