The Yuma County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved pursuing a federal grant and providing the required local matching funds to advance a project that may ultimately address ongoing traffic and safety issues at the Union Pacific Railroad crossing at Fortuna Road.
The County has already received funding from the Federal Railroad Administration’s Railroad Crossing Elimination Program for a design concept report to consider options for eliminating three at-grade crossings via a partnership with Welton and Yuma.
The County Engineering Department is preparing a request for proposals to find a consultant to finish the report.
If Yuma County is chosen for the new grant, it will fund the next phase, which will be project development and final design for the Fortuna Road (Avenue 11E) crossing, which has been identified as the most urgent.
The project development and final design have an estimated cost of $2.5M. The grant request is for $2M. The County will provide a $500K local match through the Highway User Revenue Fund.
While consultants will make the final determination when the report is complete, early indications show an overpass may be the best approach.
The County will coordinate efforts with the Arizona Department of Transportation, since Fortuna Road is a primary bypass route whenever Interstate 8 is closed.
The grant, if awarded, will advance the project into full design and environmental review. (Source: Yuma Sun)
