Mar 15, 2008

Caltrain to install new fencing

Official says it will be erected over trespass hot spots

By Shaun Bishop / Daily News Staff Writer

Caltrain is about to install more than a mile of new fencing along sections of its line in a continued effort to prevent dangerous dashes across the tracks.

The fences are to start going up in the next two weeks at places identified by train engineers and transit police as trespass hot spots, said Caltrain spokeswoman Christine Dunn.

About 900 feet of fencing will be installed at eight locations in Redwood City and 1,500 feet at two spots in Menlo Park and Atherton.

The longest stretch of fencing - some 2,800 feet - will go up in Sunnyvale along Hendy Avenue. In addition, 800 feet will be installed in San Jose and 1,050 feet in San Francisco.

Caltrain will spend $500,000 on fences this year as part of a plan to pay $2.7 million for new fencing during the next three years out of its "systemwide track rehabilitation" budget.

"It's very dangerous for people to cross anywhere except designated crossings," Dunn said. "We want to try to prevent people from being on the tracks where they're not supposed to be."

There have been two fatalities on Caltrain's tracks this year - one Jan. 7 in Redwood City and another Jan. 28 in San Mateo. Coroner Robert Foucrault confirmed the two deaths have been ruled suicides.

Eight people died on the rails last year, of which six were determined to be suicides and two accidental.

The new fencing won't stop suicidal people determined to get on the tracks, but officials hope the physical barrier will act as a deterrent for any potential trespassers. Dunn said officials expect to finish construction by the end of June.

"We think most people will be discouraged by a fence," Dunn said.

Some residents have complained that the heavy-duty fencing is ugly, although Dunn said she hasn't heard such gripes recently.

Last year, the agency started its campaign to close gaps in railway fencing with $1.1 million worth of projects in San Bruno, Burlingame, San Mateo, Belmont, Redwood City and San Jose.



E-mail Shaun Bishop at sbishop@dailynewsgroup.com.



New Caltrain fencing in Redwood City



10 feet - south of Hopkins Avenue

50 feet - north of Jefferson Avenue

90 feet - south of Jefferson on Wilson Street

262 feet - crossing Beech Street

87 feet - crossing Cedar Street

195 feet - at Pine Street

182 feet - at Pine and Buckeye streets