Item B: RR Crossing Quiet Zones - Laserfiche WebLink

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be borne by the City. The City would need to enter into a maintenance agreement with the railroad for any new devices installed at the crossings. The cost to implement a "quiet zone" is dependant on the type and extent of SSMs installed. Attachment C covers the potential range of constructions costs. The lowest cost alternative is to install medians at six of the crossings for an estimated $115,000. While this alternative has the lowest construction cost, the impact to businesses within 100 feet of the crossing will be high. All commercial driveways within 100 feet of the crossing must be closed. For some businesses this could represent all their street access. As no detailed design has been done, the cost to modify or buy business properties is not included. For alternatives with quad gates, the minimum construction estimate is over $500,000. Any quad gate installation may require an upgrade to the railroad detection and crossing arm pre- emption system, estimated to cost about $2,000,000. Any quad gate installation will require the City to enter into a maintenance agreement with the railroad. No annual maintenance cost estimate is available. All of the existing crossings between Van Buren Street and Hilyard Street are already equipped with dual gates and flashing lights. The gates, in conjunction with use of train horns, provide the current standard of protection for motorists and pedestrians crossing the tracks. A "quiet zone" that met only the reduction of the risk index below the national level would increase the risk to citizens. Installation of SSMs at all crossing would increase crossing safety. Quad gates are the most expensive form of SSM. While median islands have a lower construction cost, the definition of a SSM median requires the closure of any commercial driveway within 100 feet of a railroad crossing and any street within 60 feet. For example, a median island at Washington would require the closing of 3rd Avenue, a median island at High Street would require the closing of 5th Avenue, and a median island at 8th and Hilyard would require the closing of either 8th Avenue or Hilyard Street. For this reason, the attached range of alternatives does not include medians at any of these three locations. Attachment E contains an overview of each the crossings and the approximate 100 foot zone where commercial driveways would be prohibited. At Monroe, Madison, and Lincoln streets the prohibition of commercial driveways could effectively close some adjoining businesses. The construction estimates in Attachment C do not account for loss of access or purchase of businesses. CO[INCIL OPTIONS Staff has identified three options for the council to consider relative to the new federal rules for railroad crossing "quiet zones": 1. The council can accept the current level of safety, mobility and livability and direct staff to not pursue a "quiet zone." 2. The council can take a measured approach to the "quiet zone" issue and direct staff to monitor other jurisdictions going through the "quiet zone" process and wait to take action until there is an established cost and procedure history. 3. The council can make establishment of a "quiet zone" a council priority, identify funding sources for impact analyses and community outreach, and direct staff to develop detailed cost estimates and appropriate funding mechanisms to construct and maintain enhanced SSMs at downtown crossings. L:\CMO\2005 Council Agendas\M050720\S050720B.doc