Police alerted residents that the crossing arms' functionality was restored around 10 p.m. and that traffic resumed normal operations.
"The arms to all San Mateo railroad crossings are in the down position preventing east/west travel," police said about 6:40 p.m. in a press release. The crossings failed about 4 p.m., police said.
Drivers needing to get across town were advised to use thoroughfares such as state Highway 92, 25th Avenue, 28th Avene, 31st Avenue or Hillsdale Boulevard.