History Blog: Union City vs. Southern Pacific

New Haven Street is a short street just off of Smith Street near the railroad crossing. New Haven Street used to be a lot longer and cross over the railroad tracks and continue until it met Alvarado Boulevard.

A fatal crash between an auto and a train at the crossing on New Haven Street started a series of hearing with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), who oversees the operations of railroads in California.

On Nov. 2, 1965, the PUC held a hearing on the crossings at Whipple, H. Street, Decoto Rd., Union City Blvd., Smith Street, Fairhaven Road, and Alvarado Blvd. The PUC ordered the crossing at New Haven Street to be closed.

The City appealed the decision of the PUC, but the PUC did not budge. On April 12, 1967, the Southern Pacific Railroad installed barricades at the New Haven Street crossing, keeping traffic from crossing the tracks. The next day, Union City was able to get a restraining order on the Southern Pacific work, and immediately removed the barricades and put in paving between the tracks. A Southern Pacific crew stood by with orders to re-install the barricades. After some discussion, the railroad decided to leave the crossing open while the City appealed to the California Supreme Court.

On April 18, 1968, the California Supreme Court ruled in favor of Southern Pacific and upheld the order of the PUC.

With the street cut in half, and only one house on the street, the street and the surrounding property was purchased by the school district and is now part of Alvarado Middle School. Where New Haven used to intersect with Alvarado Boulevard is now the entrance to the parking for Alvarado Middle School and the Holly Community Center.