REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: Randall W. Morrison, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
SCOTT P. SEHM, PE, Public Works Manager
Public Works Department, Design Services
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the Tulare Street and Q Street Traffic Signal Project (Council District 3):
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Section 15301 and 15303 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines
2. Approve the Grade Crossing Improvements Agreement with Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway Company totaling $103,775.00 to facilitate the BNSF grade-crossing and traffic signal pre-emption network and timing improvements for the Tulare Street and Q Street Traffic Signal Project
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 and 15303 of the CEQA guidelines and approve the Grade Crossing Improvements Agreement with Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway in the amount of $103,775.00.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The proposed Grade Crossing Improvements Agreement with BNSF Railway is part of the Tulare Street and Q Street Traffic Signal Project already in the construction phase. A previous version of this agreement was approved by Council at the time of the construction contract award, but was then modified by BNSF prior to execution. The revisions to the agreement are immaterial in nature and did not change the cost or scope of the work. These improvements will enhance pedestrian safety along Tulare Street by eliminating the uncontrolled midblock crossing east of the BNSF tracks and installing a signalized crossing west of the tracks at Q Street. The project is locally funded by SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) and Local Transportation Fund for Pedestrian and Bike facilities.
BACKGROUND
The scope of the agreement with BNSF includes coordination and construction phase activities relating to the widening of the railroad concrete panel at the intersection which will provide an extended ADA-compliant walking surface across the BNSF tracks along the north side of Tulare Street. Other work covered under this agreement includes coordination and construction phase work relating to the interconnection of the new traffic signal at Tulare Street and Q Street with the BNSF controller bungalow which will provide the infrastructure needed to facilitate communication between the city’s traffic signal controller and the railroad’s track operations to ensure there are no vehicles “trapped” between the signal and the crossing arms and that the traffic signals at R Street and P Street remain green to clear vehicles in between the signals.
While these public improvements will serve the downtown community, they are primarily intended to improve safety for City Hall employees who park in the Promenade lot and must cross Tulare Street throughout the day. Public Works staff performed all survey and engineering work and prepared the construction documents tied to this agreement.
A previous version of this agreement was approved by Council at the time of the construction contract award in June 2021, but was then modified BNSF prior to execution. The revisions to the agreement are immaterial in nature and did not change the cost or scope of the work. This revised version of the Grade Crossing Improvements Agreement has been reviewed and approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
Staff recommends Council approve the Grade Crossing Improvements Agreement with BNSF Railroad in the amount of $103,775.00 for the Tulare Street and Q Street Traffic Signal Improvements Project.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this project and has determined that it falls within the Categorical Exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301 (Existing Facilities), which exempts the repair and maintenance of existing facilities that involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use, Section 15303 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures), which consists of construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures. These exemptions apply because this project involves the reconstruction of an existing roadway, sidewalks, curb and gutters, an accessible ramp, and traffic signal construction that does not involve the expansion of the roadway. Furthermore, Staff has determined that none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, section 15300.2 apply to this project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented because this item is an agreement with a railroad and the agreement does not include a competitive bid.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Traffic Signal Improvements at Tulare and Q Streets is located in Council District 3. The overall
cost of the agreement with BNSF railroad is $103,775.00 and is locally funded by SB1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account and Local Transportation Fund for Pedestrian and Bike facilities. The agreement will have no impact to the General Fund.
Attachments:
CEQA Environmental Assessment
BNSF Grade Crossing Signal and Surface Installation Agreement