Local Leaders, Caltrain, Mullin Secure $90 Million Grant for Burlingame Grade Separation Project

San Mateo, CA - U.S. Rep. Kevin Mullin (CA-15) is pleased to share that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has awarded $90.4 million for construction of the Caltrain Broadway Grade Separation Project in Burlingame through the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program.

Rep. Mullin advocated in support of Caltrain's application for the capital grant in partnership with the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA) and the city of Burlingame. The California Public Utilities Commission ranks the Broadway crossing as the top-priority grade separation in California. More than 30,000 vehicles travel through the crossing each day. By separating the rail line from the street, the project will improve safety, reduce congestion and lower emissions.

In addition to the $90 million federal grant made possible through the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, earlier this year Rep. Mullin was able to secure an additional $3 million in federal funds for the project as part of the annual appropriations process.

"Caltrain, the City of Burlingame, and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority have been working tirelessly to make important safety upgrades at Broadway, which has been deemed the most dangerous rail crossing in all of California," said Rep. Mullin. "I have been partnering with Caltrain, the SMCTA and the City to bring home more federal support for the Broadway Burlingame Grade Separation project and am thrilled it has rightfully earned an additional $90 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration. In addition to the $3 million in federal Community Project Funding I brought home earlier this year, this FRA grant will go a long way to helping improve safety in our community."

"These federal awards advance the grade separations our communities need to enhance protection for pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and our passengers, and create a safer corridor for generations to come," said Rico E. Medina, Caltrain Board Chair.

"This federal investment marks a major milestone for the Broadway Grade Separation Project and reflects the sustained partnership among SMCTA, Caltrain, the City of Burlingame and our state and federal leaders," said Julia Mates, chair of the San Mateo County Transportation Authority Board of Directors. "SMCTA's local investment helped position this critical project for delivery, improving safety and regional mobility."

"The City of Burlingame thanks its federal partners for joining our State, County and City financing team to finally make Broadway grade separation a reality," said Burlingame Mayor Michael Brownrigg. "Hard work, sharp pencils, and leaders who focus on the long term are what helped get this critical project over the goal line, and our residents and our region will be the better and safer for it.

This FRA grant secures a critical piece of the grade separation project's funding and keeps the project on track for construction. The partners will continue to pursue funding for additional pedestrian and bicycle circulation improvements and coordinate those improvements with project delivery. Site preparation, utility relocation and other early construction work are expected to begin in May 2027. Construction is expected to be complete in January 2032.

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