Smoother roads in works

Those bumpy, suspension-jarring railroad tracks that cross and even run along Yuba City streets may become a thing of the past.

The Yuba City City Council will consider a plan Tuesday to remove railroad tracks from various city intersections and from Bridge Street.

If the council gives the go-ahead, the city will advertise for bids on the estimated $450,000 project.

According to the schedule, track removal work could start in September and be completed the next month.

Railroad tracks scattered throughout the city have become an issue at City Council meetings in years past because of the bumpy ride on some city streets, especially Bridge Street.

“When you have the tracks, the streets will be uneven,” said George Musallam, the city’s public works director.

Musallam said details of how the construction will affect traffic would be worked out once the city has a contractor.

Trains ran through Yuba City as late as 2002, serving the Harter Packing Co. until that shut down.

In 2004, Union Pacific filed to abandon the rail line, citing a lack of business.

Plans to remove railroad tracks do not include crossings on state highways. The city is in talks with Caltrans on removing those.

The Stabler Lane railroad crossing will be removed as part of a road rehab project for the street which is expected to start in summer.

Redevelopment agency funding will pay for most of the costs, with a road fund to cover a Tharp Road crossing that is outside the city’s redevelopment area.

Appeal-Democrat reporter John Dickey can be reached at 749-4711. You may e-mail him at jdickey@appealdemocrat.com.