HomeMy WebLinkAbout15.C.4. Warning Signal Cabinet Locations for Railroad Crossings at Sommerville Street and Spencer Street
CITY OF SHAKOPEE IS; C\ Y
Memorandum ' "
TO: Mayor & City Council
Mark McNeill, City Administrator
FROM: Bruce Loney, Public Works Director
SUBJECT: Approval of Warning Signal Cabinet Location for
Railroad Crossing at Sommerville Street and Spencer Street
DATE: August 17, 2004
INTRODUCTION:
Attached is a letter from Josh Collins, Project Manager of Railroad Administration for
MnlDOT Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations in regard to the City's
warning signals to be installed on Spencer Street and Sommerville Street at railroad
crossings. This agenda item is to approve the location of the warning signal cabinet prior
to the City, railroad and MnlDOT entering into an agreement for the railroad signal
project scheduled to be built in 2005.
BACKGROUND:
Previously, the City of Shakopee had applied for Federal funding for railroad safety
improvements with MnlDOT. The City was successful in obtaining funds for two
railroad crossings to place warning signals, in which the Federal government would fund
90% of the signal cost. The City was responsible for the 10% local match and also any
roadway improvements that would be necessary to meet railroad safety guidelines
associated with this project.
Attached to this memo is aerial photography which shows the various locations for
warning signal cabinets or bungalows as they are referred to in the MnlDOT letter. The
preferred location, from a site distance point of view by staff, and to meet the clearances
as required by MnlDOT would be in the southeast quandrant of both 2nd A venue and
Spencer Street and 2nd A venue and Sommerville Street. The City does have right-of-way
in this area and would need to modify its sidewalks in this location to provide the
necessary clearances. This proposed signal cabinet is 6'X6' and approximately 8-9 feet
. tall.
From a traffic standpoint, the southeast quandrant of the intersection of Spencer Street
and Sommerville Street with 2nd A venue would be the best location to avoid restricting
site lines from the motoring public. To meet railroad and Mn/DOT safety clearances, the
warning signal cabinet needs to be outside of the City's right-of-way for 2nd Avenue.
Staff would like to request Council input and approval for the .location, in which a letter
must be sent to MnlDOT, on a decision to continue with the railroad signal project which
is slated for next year.
AL TERNATIVES:
1. Review the proposed locations, as presented by staff, and approve those locations
for future railroad signal project location of warning signal cabinets and send a
letter to MnlDOT on those locations.
2. Review the proposed locations and select different locations, as submitted, and
submit a letter to MnlDOT on those proposed locations for future railroad signal
projects.
3. Table for additional information.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff would recommend Alternative No.1, to place the cabinets in the southeast
quandrants of Sommerville Street and 2nd A venue and Spencer Street and 2nd A venue for
the best traffic site lines for the motoring public.
ACTION REQUESTED:
Review the proposed locations, as presented by staff, and approve those locations for
future railroad signal project location of warning signal cabinets and send a letter to
MnlDOT on those locations.
~wneY
Public Work Director
BUpmp
ENGRlEMPLOYEEFOLDERlPPENNINGTON/COUNCIUSIGNALS
/ qn~ Minnesota Department of Transportation
l> . ~
~ 5 Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations
~OFTRp..~<$ Mail Stop 420 Tel: 651/405-6060
1110 Centre Pointe Curve Fax: 651/405-6082
Mendota Heights, MN 55120-4152
July 26,2004 Phone: 651/406-4803
j oshua.collins@dot.state.mn.us
Bruce Loney, P.E.
Public Works Director/City Engineer
City of Shakopee
129 Holmes Street S.
Shakopee, MN 55379
Re: State Project: 70-00114
Railroad: Union Pacific Railroad Company
Location: Spencer Street & Sommerville Street
USDOTNO: 185328R & 185329X
Description: Remove remaining rails from roadway surface
Dear Mr. Loney,
Per our on-site meeting on Friday, July 16, 2004, Mn/DOT OFCVO is requesting that the
city of Shako pee secure right of way necessary to insta1l6'x6' railroad bungalows for the
railroad signal's circuitry at Spencer Street and Sommerville Street. Due to the current
street arrangements, there is no viable space for the bungalows on railroad right of way
that provides proper train/bungalow and roadway/bungalow clearances. Therefore the
bungalows will need to be located off of the railroad's right of way.
During our meeting we concurred that the locations in the SE quadrants (locations 'B'
and 'C' on map) would be the best for traffic sight lines due to 2nd Ave. being split and
vehicle orientation during travel. Also, the NE quadrant would be a possibility at
Sommerville Street if the owner of the Post Office building could be convinced to sell the
city an easement. The SE quadrant at Spencer Street would require shifting the sidewalk
closer to the curb to facilitate the bungalow installation (location 'c' on map) while the
SE quadrant at Sommerville Street would likely require replacing some sidewalk after the
bungalow is placed (location 'B' on map).
Before our agreements between the railroad, city, and Mn/DOT can be written, locations
for both bungalows need to be acquired. If a bungalow location is going to infringe on
residents' properties, then they will also need to be contacted.
Our railroad signal projects are scheduled for the 2005 federal fiscal year and to stay on
our timeline, these bungalow locations needs to be secured by August 31st. Please take
An equal opportunity employer
appropriate measures to accomplish this step in our timeline. We would like a letter from
the city verifying the choice of bungalow location and property acquisition.
Enclosed, please find the aerial photograph with the various bungalow locations and curb
work needed for this project. This is the only map we have for these locations so please
do not discard. -
If you have any questions or comments or need any assistance obtaining the necessary
right of way, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
1~ t2.L . 7~c- --=.:::.
Joshua R. L. Collins - Project Manager,
Railroad Administration
Enclosure: Aerial photograph
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