Merced Avenue Grade Separation

A grade separation at Merced Avenue taking traffic over State Route 43, BNSF, and future high-speed rail lines.
  • Construction Status: Completed
  • Kern, California
  • Central Region
  • Phase 1
  • Fresno to Bakersfield
  • Construction Package 4
  • Grade Separation
  • Location: Along Merced Avenue, between Scaroni and Poplar avenues in Kern County.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority announced on August 8 the completion of its seventh high-speed rail structure in the Central Valley this year. The Merced Avenue overcrossing in Kern County is now open to traffic.

The Merced Avenue overcrossing and grade separation is located on State Route 43, south of Wasco in Kern County. This grade separation, designed and constructed by California Rail Builders, spans 509 feet, is 43 feet wide, and takes traffic over the highway, as well as BNSF and future high-speed rail lines.

Feet Long

Feet Wide

Cubic Yards of Concrete

Merced Avenue Grade Separation (drone view)
Merced Avenue Grade Separation (drone view)
Merced Avenue Grade Separation (drone view)
Merced Avenue Grade Separation (drone view)
Merced Avenue Grade Separation (drone view)
Merced Avenue Grade Separation (drone view)
Merced Avenue Grade Separation (drone view)
Merced Avenue Grade Separation (drone view)

Updates Per Project

Merced Avenue Grade Separation (drone view)

June 1, 2022

At our most southern portion of Construction Package 4, crews have installed all 15 girders needed for the superstructure of the Merced Avenue Grade Separation. Each girder spans more than 177 feet long and weighs more than 220,000 lbs. The girders were manufactured by Confab out of their Lathrop Plant and are some of the longest girders the company has ever done in California. Confab has also provided pre-cast concrete girders for other high-speed rail structures including the San Joaquin River Viaduct and Pergola in Construction Package 1. When complete, the Merced Avenue Grade Separation will be more than 509 feet long, 43 feet wide, and will take traffic over SR 43, BNSF, and future high-speed rail lines.