Burlingame’s $662 million plan to separate Broadway from the Caltrain tracks now depends heavily on whether the project secures a pending federal railroad crossing elimination grant.

The Burlingame City Council voted Monday, Aug. 17, to commit an additional $2.4 million for project design, according to the San Mateo Daily Journal. Caltrain Deputy Executive Director Sherry Bullock told councilmembers the grade separation is estimated to cost $662.48 million.

The Broadway crossing is ranked as the highest-priority grade separation project in California. Caltrain’s Corridor Crossing Strategy also places Broadway in its highest priority tier for crossing elimination.

The project would separate Broadway from the rail line to address safety and traffic problems at the crossing. A 2024 San Mateo Daily Journal report detailed a civil lawsuit stemming from a 2021 fatality at the crossing and a history of vehicle strikes.

Federal funding remains key

Councilmembers acknowledged that the current funding strategy depends on a pending federal railroad crossing elimination grant, according to the Daily Journal.

Burlingame’s application has not yet been announced as a recipient, and no public timeline for a federal decision has been identified.

Caltrain places Broadway in highest tier

Caltrain’s Corridor Crossing Strategy places Broadway in Category A, its highest tier for grade separation projects, alongside Rengstorff Avenue in Mountain View.

The strategy was developed with input from communities along the Caltrain corridor and received more than 150 public comments.

The additional $2.4 million approved Aug. 17 will allow design work to continue while Burlingame and Caltrain pursue the funding needed for construction.