REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
January 12, 2017
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: ANDREW BENELLI, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Traffic & Engineering Services Division
DAVID A. CISNEROS, Projects Administrator
Public Works Department, Traffic & Engineering Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
***RESOLUTION - 35th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2016-118 to appropriate $92,400 for two railroad crossing safety improvement projects. (Requires 5 affirmative votes) (Districts 1, 2, 3 and 7)
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the 35th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution No. 2016-118, to appropriate $92,400 for City design costs of street improvements associated with at-grade railroad crossing signal improvements to be installed by Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF) and Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Public Works Department staff has collaborated with the California Public Utilities Commission and the California Department of Transportation, Rail Safety Division, for Federal Section 130 Program funding, to support railroad crossing safety improvements at the BNSF / McKinley Avenue crossing near Blackstone. In addition, UPRR requested the City construct minor improvements where their tracks cross Olive, Church, and Shaw. The anticipated costs of the McKinley improvements and the three UPRR projects total $1,083,250. All costs associated with these projects, including staff time, will be reimbursed by the State and UPRR. The design phase will be completed in 2017 and construction phase in 2018.
BACKGROUND
Staff is recommending the initiation of two new capital improvement projects which will be funded through the Federal Section 130 Program administered by the State of California, Caltrans Rail Safety Division, and a cooperative reimbursement agreement with UPRR. The projects will provide enhanced safety for pedestrians and vehicles at these locations.
The new projects and work are described as follows:
• McKinley Avenue at BSNF Railway. The City will reconstruct sidewalk approaches to comply to ADA requirements, install new detectable warning (tactile strips) on all sidewalk approaches, modify the existing traffic signal system at McKinley and Blackstone to provide advance preemption, reconstruct the raised medians on both approaches, and re-stripe all pavement markings.
• Olive, Church, & Shaw Safety Improvements. The City will construct minor improvements at three UPRR crossings to improve safety related to pavement markings, signage and sight distance. UPRR will reimburse the City for expenses incurred.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378 this item does not qualify as a project under the California Environmental Quality Act requirements.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference does not apply to the projects included in this report as this is new project appropriation for in-house design only. Local preference (if applicable) will be considered at the time of contract award.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no new net impact to the General Fund. All proposed costs will be paid for from Section 130 Federal Funds administered by the State of California, Caltrans Rail Safety Division and Cooperative Reimbursement Agreement with UPRR. See attached Resolution for specific funds and associated costs.
Attachments:
Capital Projects Project Type Summary
Capital Projects Detail List
35th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution No. 2016-118