Action 28.
Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting
Community Development
- Meeting Date:
- 12/20/2016
- Title:
- Approve Highway application to Federal Railroad Administration for Quiet Zones in Bowie and Dragoon
- Submitted By:
- Karen Riggs, Community Development
- Department:
- Community Development
- Division:
- Highway
Presentation:
PowerPoint
Recommendation:
Approve
Document Signatures:
BOS Signature NOT Required
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
0
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Karen Riggs
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
County Engineer
Mandated Function?:
Not Mandated
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
Docket Number (If applicable):
Information
Agenda Item Text:
Approve the Highway Department application to the Federal Railroad Administration for change of status of railroad crossings in Bowie and Dragoon to Quiet Zones, based on cost estimates for required upgrades to both crossings in the not to exceed amount of $67,000.
Background:
The Highway Department was approached first from the community of Bowie and then by the community of Dragoon, both unincorporated, to sponsor Quiet Zones at the gated railroad crossings in their communities. A Quiet Zone if approved would allow the train engineers not to blow the train horn in the vicinity of the crossing. Train Engineers would still have authority to sound then horns when in their opinion it would be required for safety.
Since the communities are unincorporated, the County would be required to be the municipal sponsor of the quiet zones. At the direction of the Board of Supervisors, Highway met with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) on both sites to get their input as to what physical improvements would be necessary to qualify. We were informed that the existing crossing arms were adequate and what would be needed would be concrete medians and side curbing, additional striping and signing. The signing would be required not only at the crossing itself but also at cross streets leading to the crossing. Our estimates of those costs are approximately $33,500 each for a total of $67,000.
If approved by the Board, Highway will apply for the Quiet Zone status and submit our plans and cost estimates. If approved by FRA, we will proceed with permits and construction. We will also be responsible for maintenance of the curbs, striping and signing. This should be a minimal annual cost unless the curbs are substantially damaged. I want to stress that our cost estimates are based on what FRA and UPRR told us would be necessary after meeting on both sites. If their requirements change and cause our required costs to increase more than 20% above these estimates, I would suggest that we come back to the Board before continuing.
An initial concern in addition to cost outlay by the County was the potential liability. ACIP has weighed in that if our plans are approved by FRA and we construct as such, there should be minimal increased liability to County.
Since the communities are unincorporated, the County would be required to be the municipal sponsor of the quiet zones. At the direction of the Board of Supervisors, Highway met with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) on both sites to get their input as to what physical improvements would be necessary to qualify. We were informed that the existing crossing arms were adequate and what would be needed would be concrete medians and side curbing, additional striping and signing. The signing would be required not only at the crossing itself but also at cross streets leading to the crossing. Our estimates of those costs are approximately $33,500 each for a total of $67,000.
If approved by the Board, Highway will apply for the Quiet Zone status and submit our plans and cost estimates. If approved by FRA, we will proceed with permits and construction. We will also be responsible for maintenance of the curbs, striping and signing. This should be a minimal annual cost unless the curbs are substantially damaged. I want to stress that our cost estimates are based on what FRA and UPRR told us would be necessary after meeting on both sites. If their requirements change and cause our required costs to increase more than 20% above these estimates, I would suggest that we come back to the Board before continuing.
An initial concern in addition to cost outlay by the County was the potential liability. ACIP has weighed in that if our plans are approved by FRA and we construct as such, there should be minimal increased liability to County.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
If approved, Highway will finalize plans and submit formal applications to FRA for the Bowie and Dragoon crossings. If those are approved without substantial cost increases required, we will schedule construction and complete the projects as soon as they can be fit in to already committed FY16/17 projects.
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
Bowie and Dragoon communities will not have the required municipal and fiscal sponsor and will not be eligible for quiet zones.
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
No Board follow up needed.
Fiscal Impact
- Fiscal Year:
- 16/17
- One-time Fixed Costs? ($$$):
- 67000
- Ongoing Costs? ($$$):
- 1000
- County Match Required? ($$$):
- 67000
- A-87 Overhead Amt? (Co. Cost Allocation $$$):
- 0
- Source of Funding?:
- 421.000
Fiscal Impact & Funding Sources (if known):
entered above.