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Home My WebLink About5.C.1. Approval of City Participation of Rail Safety Projects &te. I., CITY OF SHAKOPEE Memorandum If\ON~t~ tJl' " l~. ,.~1 TO: Mayor & City Council . ' " LaS'.,", Mark McNeill, City Administrator '- FROM: Bruce Loney, Public Works Director SUBJECT: Approval of City Participation of Rail Safety Proj ects with MnlDOT's Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations DATE: December 5, 2006 INTRODUCTION: Attached is a letter from MnlDOT's Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations (OFCVO) requesting a letter from the City to be willing to fund their local share of Rail Safety Projects listed BACKGROUND: The City had formed a Railroad Safety Committee consisting of Matt Lehman, Terry Joos and Bruce Loney to meet with Railroad and Mn/DOT OFCVO personnel on Rail Safety Projects. This committee recommended to work with MnlDOT's OFCVO to obtain funding for projects at its crossings. The City did receive funding for warning signals at Sommerville Street and Spencer Street which were recently installed. The attached letter has the City of Shakopee receiving funds for projects as follows: Estimated Crossin2: Location Year Project Local Amount Atwood Street 2008 Install Signals $17,400 Scott Street 2010 Install Flashers $21,400 Apgar Street 2010 Install Gates $24,075 $62,875 In the 2007 CIP,the City has $50,000 budgeted for a local participation for the Atwood Street signals. Staff did not include any other funds for Scott Street and Apgar Street, as it was not anticipated to qualify for funding. Staff is requesting approval from Council to notify Mn/DOTthat the City is willing to fund its local share. Funds would be .from the Capital Improvement Funds. Attached to this memo are the Rail Safety Committee's recommendations adopted on March 1, 2004. One recommendation was for the City to consider the closure of the Apgar Street crossing after a traffic study analysis of the Apgar Street closure and impacts to local streets. This study has not been authorized, as of yet, and could be done in 2007 or later and yet before the safety improvement project for Apgar Street commences. A specific traffic study proposal would be brought back for council authorization. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Approve a motion authorizing staff to provide written documentation to Mn/DOT's OFCVO on the City's willingness to fund the local participation in the year the project is scheduled. 2. Do not approve a motion for local participation funding. 3. Table for additional information. RECOMMENDATION: Alternative No. I is recommended to complete Rail Safety improvements on crossings in the downtown area. ACTION REQUESTED: Approve a motion authorizing staff to provide written documentation to Mn/DOT's Office of Freight and Commercial. Vehicle Operations on the,.. City's willingness to fund the local participation in the year the proj ecl is scheduled. lettrrf Public Works Director BUpmp ENGR/EF/PPENNINGTON/COUNCIURAILSAFETY-FUNDING ~\l\tlESO'4 "'(1"" Minnesota Department of Transportation l _ ~ ;l:l ~ t~ F:Jl Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations OFTI\~~ 395 John Ireland Blvd. 81. Paul, MN 55155-1899 November 3,2006 Phone: 651/215-6195 julie.carr@dot.state.mn.us Bruce Loney Public Works Director City of Shakopee 129 Holmes Street South Shakopee,1fN 55379 Dear Mr. Loney: Attached is a list of rail safety projects that were submitted to the Met Council's Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) for federal funding in Fiscal Years 2009 and 2010. Each location was reviewed to determine if it qualified for federal funding. The TAB approved the projects listed on Table I. The projects that were not funded are listed on Table II. The list includes the location and description ofthe project, the railroad, year the project is scheduled for installation, and estimated costs for local and federal participation, along with the total project cost. All costs are estimates only and may differ, higher or lower, from the final cost. Please provide written acknowledgement (either email or letter by December 15, 2006) of your agency's willingness to fund the local participation in the year the project is scheduled. When the project is constructed, the railroad bills the local municipality directly. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments. Best regards, 9~G\. ~ Julie R.Carr Rail Administration cc: Susan Aylesworth/Rick VanWagner, OFCVO Sherry Narusiewicz/Pat Bursaw/Marv Lunceford, Mark Gieseke, MnlDOT Metro District enc: TABLE'S I & II jt;:.,~ An eaual opportunity empIQ~~r ,. r ABLE I Projects identified inthe 2007 - 201 0 STIP Location USDOTNO RR S.P. Agmt Proposed project Local Agency Local Amt FHWA FY Total Est. " Cost Terminal Rd., Roseville 463560K MNNR 62-00192 Install signals and gates City of Rosevilie 07 Zane Ave, MSAS 408, 185033Y UP 27-00268 Install signals and gates ' City of Golden Valley 07 Golden Vallev uP $ 782.700 , ')Witham Ave, St. Paul 784377T 62-00797 Insfall signals and gates City of St., Paul $20,300 07 $203,00C 2)Consolidation of two crossings (Territorial Rd &. 095650r Holly Ln) to one new 095649Y BNSF 27-00289 Install gates City of Dayton $26,750 $259.875 07 $267,50C crossing at Lawnda!a 927457H Lana or 773"'Aw7-(now Hollv Ln) , ' ,: 27111 Ave. NE., Minneapolis 06122lU BNSF 27-00270 'Install signals and gates ' City of Minneapolis 07 .. , Long Lake Rd., Roseville 463564M MNNR 62-00198 Install cantilevers and gates City of Roseville 07 i CNTY 73, Akron Ave; 876407L UP 19-00134 Install signals and gates Dakota County 07 . Rosemourit , Medicine Lake Dr. 185054S UP 27-00271 Install signdls dnd gates City of Plymouth 07 Plymouth CSAH 15, Manning Ave 061410S ZEP 82-00136 Install signals and gates Washington County 07 N, Washington County 8th St. NW.. New Brighton 463541F 'MNNR 62-00195 Install signals and gates City of New Brighton $20,300 $182,700 08 $203,000 , W 111 th Sf, Bloomington 694895M CP 27-00272 Install signals and gates City of Bloomington $20,300 $182.700 08 $203,000 210th St W, Lakeville 854272W CP 19-00135 Install signals and gates City of Lakeville $20.300 $182.700 08 $203,000 Atwood Sf, Shako pee 1 85334U UP 70-00117 Install signals City of Shakopee $17.400 $156,600 08 $174,000 1) James A ve. St. Paul 379564J CP 62-007 93 Install signals and gates City of St. Paul $79,390 $774.570 08 $793,900 'CSAH 57, Sunfish Lake 082928G BNSF 02-00133 Relocate gates, install cantilevers Anoka County $27.500 $247,500 08 $275,000 Blvd NW, Anoka County and uPQrade circuitry CSAH 3, Lake Sf, 379641G MNNR 27-00275 Add gates - 3 - 4 gate system Hennepin County $26,250 $236,250 09 $262,500 Minneapolis, Hennepin Couniv ' France Ave S, CSAH 17, Bloomington, Hennepin 854455P PR 27-00276 Install cantilevers & gates Hennepin County $26,250 $236,250 09 $262,500 Couniv CSAH 8, Broadway Ave, Install cantilevers & 3-4 gate Brooklyn Park, Hennepin 095635R BNSF 27-00277 Hennepin County $31,500 $283,500 09 $315,000 CountY system Park Blvd, Twn 9999, Sf. Lawrence Township 185356U Eliminate at-grade crossing by UP 70-00118 grade separation and St. Lawrence Twp $0 $288,750 09 $288,750 Acorn Way, Twn 999, Jordan (.5 MI W), St. 185352S Close Acorn Way crossing Lawrence Township -' , ; . ... location USDOTNO RR S.P. . Agmt Proposed project local Agency local Amt FHWA FY Total Est. Cost CSAH 17, Lake Elmo, 183812K UP 82-00137 Install gates Washington County $23,625 $212,625 09 $236,250 Washlnaton County James Ave S, MSAS 384, 854460L PR 27-00278 Install cantilevers & gates City of Bloomington $26,250 $236,250 09 $262,500 BloomlnQton 2>West 76'" St., Richfield 854425X PR 27-00269 Install fiashing light signals City of Richfield $24.075 $216,675 09 $240,750 . Broadway St NE, MUN 463567H MNNR 27-00279 Install 4-leg gate system City of Minneapolis $28,875 $259,875 09 $288,750 445, Minneapolis CSAH 102, Douglas Dr, $262,500 Golden Valley, Hennepin 185034F UP 27 -00280 Install cantilevers & gates Hennepin County $26,250 $236,250 09 County CSAH 52, Hennepin Ave 09 $262,500 E, Minneapolis, Hennepin 463566B MNNR 27-00281 Install cantilevers & gates Hennepin County $26,250 $236,250 County Lyndale Ave N, MSAS 688930K CP 27 -00282 Upgrade lenses to 12" LEDs City of Minneapolis $8,025 $72.225 10 $80,250 342, City of Minneapolis Upper 71" Street, Inver 184904B UP 19-00136 Install gates City of Inver Grove Heights $24,075 $216,675 10 $240,750 Grove Helahts CSAH 66, Broadway st 061287U BNSF 27-00283 Install cantilevers & gates Hennepin County $26.750 $240.750 10 $267,500 NE, Minneapolis Scott St, MUN 38, 185335B UP 70-00119 Install flashers City of Shakopee $21.400 $192,600 10 $214,000 Shakopee Apgar SI, MSAS 101, 185336H UP 70-00120 Install gates City of Shakopee $24,075 $216,675 10 $240.750 Shakopee Cedar Lake Blvd, MUN 185192F HCRR 27 -00284 Install gates City of Minneapolis $24,075 $216,675 10 $240,750 1629, Minneapolis CSAH 109, 85'h Ave, Brooklyn Park, Hennepin 095638L BNSF 27 -00285 Install cantilevers & gates Hennepin County $26.750 $240.750 10 $267.500 County W 82nd SI, MSAS 354, 854429A PR 27 -00286 Install gates City of Bloomington $24,075 $216,675 10 $240.750 Bloominaton E Island Ave, MUN 859, 061313G BNSF 27-00287 Install gates City of Minneapolis $24,075 $216,675 10 $240,750 Minneapolis W Island Ave, MUN 866, 061314N BNSF 27-00288 Install gates City of Minneapolis $24,075 $216,675 10 $240.750 Minneapolis ,> MNTH 5, W r Sf, st. Paul 379587R CP 6207-80 Install cantilevers & gates and Mn/DOT 0 $262,500 70 $262,500 close Aiton Sf, MUN 296 . Sunfish Lake Blvd NW crossing was moved to 2008 to line up with TH 10 project. Long Lake Rd, Rosevi/le was moved up to 2007 & City of Rosevi/le approved 3/12/06. . Italicized projects reflect change from original recommendations: . 0 J>CityofSf. Paul requested Witham Ave project (USDOTNO: 784377T - UP) be moved to 2007 by eliminating the James Ave project (USDOTNO: 379564J - CP) - The two projects were swapped with James Ave moved to 2008 until status of Ford Spur Line is determined. 0 2>City of Richfield requested the 76'" Ave project (USDOTNO: 854425X) moved to 2009 in conjunction with a local project. City of Dayton requested acceleration (2007 funding) of their Hoi/y Ln project (USDOTNO: 927457H) in conjunction with their local project. The totai project cost Is based on the current line item In the STlP 0 '>MNTH 5, W 7" Sf, St. Paul was moved from 2070 to 2009 until (swappedwith Dayton project) until status of Ford Spur Line is determined. Original scope to close Aiton and fund MNTH 5 at 700%. ,- . TABLE II Additional projects recommended to be included in 2007-2009-10 MPOTIP - Not Funded Location . USDOTNO RR S.P. Agmt Proposed project Local Agency Local Amt FHWA FY Total Est. . Cost 105'h Street Inver Grove 1 8491 2T UP Install gates City of Inver Grove Heights Helahts Golden Valley Rd., 1 85036U UP Install gates City of Golden Valley Golden Vallev Jerrold st MUN 87. 689012A CP Install gates City of Shoreview Shoreview Note: (1) Projects included in Table 11 have gone through the Railroad Administration Scoping Process. (2) These projects were recommended to be included in the 2008-2011 A TIP but were not funded ~ SHAKOPEE November 13, 2006 Julie R. Carr MnlDOT Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations 395 John Ireland Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55155-1899 RE: Local Funding for Rail Safety Projects Dear Ms. Carr: This letter is to inform the MnlDOT Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations that the City of Shakopee is willing to fund our local participation share for rail safety projects in the year the project is scheduled. From your letter dated November 3, 2006, the Rail Safety Projects for Shakopee are as follows: . 2008 Atwood Street Install Signals . 2010 Scott Street Install Flashers . 2010 Apgar Street Install Gates The City of Shakopee appreciates your assistance in helping these projects move forward. Sincerely, Bruce Loney, P .E. Public Works Director BVpmp' ENGR/EFIPPENNINGTONILETIERS/CARR-II-13-06 COMMUNITY PRIDE SINCE 1857 129 Holmes Street South' Shakopee, Minnesota' 55379-1351 . 952-233-9300 . FAX 952-233-3801 . www.ci.shakopee.mn.us City of Shakopee Rail Safety Committee Recommendations ~ Backi!round The City of Shakopee has federal funding available to them for two railroad crossing signals in 2005. MnlDOT Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations (OFCVO) representatives presented information about the available funding to the Shakopee City Council. It was pointed out that the city currently has five railroad crossings that currently are not protected with active warning devices (flashing light signals). City Council approved active city participation in a comprehensive review of the downtown railroad crossings at the October 7,2003 council meeting. The Rail Safety Committee was formed to review the appropriate use of the 2005 funding. The Rail Safety Committee has since met twice: December 8, 2003 and January 12, 2004. Committee Members Matt Lehman, Terry Joos, Bruce Loney; City of Shakopee Gary Wilwerding; Union Pacific Railroad Joshua Collins, Julie Carr; MnlDOT Discussion A general review of background information such as selection process, funding information, sight distances, and city development was discussed. From that all options were put on the table from closing every crossing to signalizing every crossing. The committee then deliberated on each of the options. Safety and feasibility were the most commonly debated issues. Secondarily, funding options for all options were discuss. Safety Issues The city of Shakopee has lO railroad at-grade crossings within a 12-block stretch in downtown. Each crossing presents a safety hazard and even more-so when it isn't protected by an active warning device such as flashing lights. Recommendations The committee's goal was to optimize safety within our funding and timing constraints. The safest crossing is the closed crossing but that does away with any of the city's traffic demands, which also have to be considered. The committee developed both long- and short-term recommendations balancing traffic demands and safety measures. Long-term recommendations: ~Install active warning devices at all public railroad crossings in the downtown Shak?p~~~"l'T~ -Consider a study that evaluates traffic flows, future development, l!]:!:4169169traffii:~bilf}acts'ilvtth'jji'/wiiltotHthis access. A potential railroad crossing closure, coinciding with potential rail safety funding in 2008. Short-term recommendations: -Signalization (flashing light signals) of Sommerville and Spencer Street railroad crossings in 2005. -Install Stop Signs at the Atwood crossing - with potential federal railroad safety funding in 20081oi;:iiiciiv~i:fossi/fg" 'deviciHti//': ".".",''''<X,''''*,r'.9.'\':\;", -'Consider the closure of Apgar Street based on: . 3-track crossing is dangerous due to restricted sight lines. ('~' . Difficulty to safely install active warning devices that would protect all three tracks. . If we protected two tracks with gates, traffic could get stopped on the third (unprotected) track by the gate-arm. . DELETE THIS LINE: There are some additional railrondandFederalfunding benefits ifthis crossing is closed . prior to June 2001: -Increase education (including Operation Life Saver sessions and local cable programs). DELETE THIS LINE: Explore the possible closure of other crossings. Page 2 of3 Mr. Loney stated he would like to see the railroad committee recommendations adopted or some agreement reached as to what should be done and staff provided direction on the short-term recommendations. Cncl. Lehman explained his suggested additions or deletions in the memo. He stated that in his opinion there was too much that needed to get done before June 2004 to get any Official Proceedings of the March 1,2004 Shakopee City Council Page -8- kind of match from the federal government and he thought traffic patterns and traffic impacts needed to be analyzed before any more railroad crossings were closed. Cncl. Joos noted the north/south entrance on the west end oftown into town was cut offwhen Apgar was realigned a few years ago and he thought the way Hwy 69/169 was configured/reconfigured would also impact the traffic flow in the City of Shakopee. He would like to move ahead with studying the traffic patterns and impacts for the businesses in Shakopee. Cncl. Lehman agreed with Cncl. Joos. Mayor Schr noted some ofthe possible traffic patterns and impacts for the community. He thoughtthis traffic study j suggested should be included in the City's Transportation Plan for the Comprehensive Plan. Schmitt/Lehman moved to accept the railroad safety study as recommended by the Rail Safety Committee and modified by Cncl. Matt Lehman (no kind of match from the federal government for any railroad closures because oflack time and he thought traffic patterns and traffic impacts needed to be analyzed before any more railroad crossings were closed) and to direct staff to incorporate a study of the traffic flow and impact on Third A venue and Apgar to be done by WSB & Associates, Inc. for a cost of between $2,000 and $3,000 and to direct staff to have a study ofthe City's traffic flow and traffic impacts to downtown Shakopee incorporated into the City's Transportation Plan to be included with the Comprehensive Plan. (CC Document No. 344) Mr. Loney noted Chuck Rickart, traffic engineer from WSB & Associates, Inc. estimated that this study would cost approximately $2,000 to $3,000. Mr. Loney noted after the traffic study it would be determined if there would/should be closings and date when a public hearing would need to occur. Bob Micheletti, 800 West 1 st A venue, approached the podium and spoke to the third railroad crossing on Apgar Street. He stated the third railroad crossing was a spur line that Rahr malting used. He noted the spur track was used either in the evening or early in the morning and there were men out on the track with lights for safety purposes. He stated that he thought there might be something that could be done with this spur track but he did recommend further study. He too wanted to make the tracks safe for the residents of Shakopee. He noted this would be a long study to get an accurate count of the traffic. He was of the opinion that Rahr Malting allocated $40,000 to the City to have Second Street upgraded so the Apgar crossing would be left open. He stated he welcomed the opportunity to give the Council a tour ofthe Rahr Malting facility. Mr. Loney noted he would bring back before Council a specific proposal of what streets and railroad crossings would be included in the study done by WSB & Associates, Inc. It was wondered if the 69/169-intersection area was included in the $2,000 to $3,000 traffic flow study. Ms. Julie Carr, representing Mn/DOT, approached the podium and thanked all who participated in the railroad safety study. She noted safety at the railroad crossings and some possible ways of funding were discussed. Official Proceedings of the March 1, 2004 Shakopee City Council Page -9- 11/15/2006 Page 3 of3 Cnc1. Lehman stated that he thought the City would be looking at some railroad crossing safety issues in the future. Cncl. Joos thanked Ms. Carr and Mr. Collins for attending the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. LehmanlMenden moved to directed staff to install stop signs at the Atwood Railroad crossing consistent with the 2nd Avenue corridor. Mr. Loney noted he would follow-up on this request to meetthe need of the residents. He stated there was an issue with jurisdiction that could possibly determine where the stop sign was put. Motion carried 5-0. Bruce Loney Public Works Director Direct No. 952-233-9361 Fax No. 952-233-3801 11/15/2006 + ~ on w ~ '" ~ '" < < " ~ on v '" 0 w 0 _ o ~ ~ < ~ ~ ~ t: ~ < ~ l:::i '" < " o 0 on ol! i z ill ~ III ~ 0 CJ :a in IU ~. . ~ .... g ~ 5 5 .. Vl Z Vi :> '" + VIKING STEEL RD. & + 70TH ST. & STAGE SHANANDOAH DR. COACH RD. ;>w~ CROSSINGS CROSSINGS COO <cel 101 O~ 0:00 ..JOO -0 VA((€,y 101 <CO: /Nou 0:0 SrRtA( 8(V/5 . N. 4th ,..: Vl .r: 0 "- 0 <( 0 '" SHEET NO. .... .-..--.. ~I PLACE 1