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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Work Session: Railroad Quiet Zone Meeting Date: February 25, 2008 Agenda Item Number: C Department: Public Works Maintenance Staff Contact: Tom Larsen www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-4959 ISSUE STATEMENT Following council direction, staff has engaged in extensive public involvement and analysis of requirements, costs and public support for various options related to establishing a railroad quiet zone in which the routine sounding of train horns at specific railroad crossings would cease. Analysis and input was focused on specific supplemental safety measures designed to reduce risk levels sufficiently to obtain a quiet zone designation from the Federal Rail Administration (FRA). Among the measures considered were closing streets, converting two-way streets to one-way operation, constructing quad gates and installing other apparatus to warn people of approaching trains and/or keep them off the tracks. This work session is an opportunity for council to review the analysis and input and provide additional direction. BACKGROUND The City Council held a railroad quiet zone work session on July 20, 2005. At that session, staff presented information about a new Federal Railroad Administration rule allowing local jurisdictions to obtain a quiet zone designation. Quiet zones are considered a local quality of life issue and no federal funding is available specifically for obtaining one. At that session, the council directed the City Manager to further refine cost estimates for specific construction of several of the supplemental safety measures required to obtain a quiet zone and to monitor the quiet zone process and evaluate the progress made by other jurisdictions. On June 26, 2006, the council held another railroad quiet zone work session. At that work session, the council directed the City Manager to study the necessary steps to close up to four railroad crossings and convert streets to one-way at railroad crossings in order to obtain federal Title 23 Section 130 funding for crossing safety improvements. These funds are administered by Oregon Department of Transportation Rail Division (ODOT Rail). The council also directed that no closings or conversions will be constructed until a public process has been completed and the council has given final approval. Analysis of Supplemental Safety Measures Risk-mitigation supplemental safety measures (SSMs) were considered for 10 at-grade railroad crossings in the downtown area, from Hilyard Street (near the EWEB entrance on Eighth Avenue) on the east to Van Buren Street on the west. A map of the area is included as Attachment A. Potential risk- management strategies included closing streets to all forms of through traffic, installing quad gates, F:\CMO\2008 Council Agendas\M080225\S080225C.doc