06-22-2015 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

.6 Ltt1e 515 Little Canada Road, Little Canada, MN 55117-1600 (651) 766-4029 / FAX: (651) 766-4048 www.ci.little-canada.mn.us MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor Keis & Members of the City Council FROM: Joel Hanson, City Administrator DATE: June 19, 2015 RE: Quiet Zone Update MAYOR John Keis COUNCIL Rick Montour Michael McGraw Tom Fischer Christian Torkelson ADMINISTRATOR Joel R. Hanson Dave McKenzie of SEH will be present at Monday's meeting to update the Council and the public on the status establishments of Quiet Zones for our six, at -grade railroad crossings. We are now prepared to make our submittal to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to initiate the 60 day comment period. (Note: Canadian Pacific has also commenced the design process and will order the necessary equipment. That is the key aspect in terms of timing and the 60 day review will be completed before the railroad would be ready to proceed.) Staff wants to ensure the City Council feels our submittal reflects the City's desires relative to the establislunent of a Quiet Zone. Mr. McKenzie can do a better job of explaining the FRA criteria that needs to be met to obtain approval for a quiet zone, but the quick version is we want to make the improvements necessary to gain approval while minimizing the use of medians due to a less than desirable appearance, impact on adjoining properties, and increased costs. When we toured the crossing with railroad, FRA, and MnDot officials in early April, MnDot indicated they were recommending medians at all crossings except Woodlyn. That is not necessary to meet the safety criteria needed to establish a Quiet Zone in Little Canada at our six crossings. The cost for the work MnDot recommended exceeds the estimate in Attachment #1 of $1,452, 653 (that estimate did not propose medians at South Owasso and Little Canada Road. After applying bond funds ($1,250,000) and a MnDot design contribution ($30,000) to the estimated costs in Attachment #1, Little Canada would be responsible for $172,653 in costs. (Keep in mind these numbers still represent estimated costs and we are hopeful they may decrease.) Staff has discussed the possibility of cost participation with the City of Maplewood, but further conversation is needed. To meet FRA criteria, we needed to install at least a four -gated signal at Woodlyn and add medians at one other crossing. In reviewing the other crossings, medians prove difficult due to