HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.l. Bonaire Path East, City Project 2018-03 Approve Union Pacific Crossing and Signal ImprovementsI:\City Clerk\Agenda Items\Approved Items\6.l. Bonaire Path East, City Project 2018-03 Approve Union Pacific Crossing and Signal Improvements.docx
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
City Council Meeting: February 4, 2020
AGENDA ITEM: Bonaire Path East, City Project 2018-03:
Approve Union Pacific Crossing and
Signal Improvements
AGENDA SECTION:
Consent
PREPARED BY: Brian Erickson, PE, Director of Public
Works/City Engineer
Stephanie Smith, PE, Assistant City
Engineer
AGENDA NO. 6.l.
ATTACHMENTS: None. APPROVED BY: LJM
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to approve cost estimate for crossing and signal
improvements by Union Pacific Railroad at the Bonaire Path East rail crossing.
BACKGROUND
The Bonaire Path E, City Project 2018-03 includes improvements on Bonaire Path E from Akron Avenue
to approximately 3,000 feet east. The existing gravel section will be converted to a paved section. The
project also includes utility work and improvements at the existing railroad crossing to facilitate the
establishment of a railroad quiet zone after the completion of this project. Road and utility construction
began in 2019.
The project includes construction of a concrete median and installing track panel improvements, signals
and crossing arms at the railroad intersection to meet Quiet Zone standards. Due to the extreme angle of
the crossing, MnDOT’s rail safety and coordination office recommended improvements within the Union
Pacific Railroad (UPRR) right of way not be constructed until the crossing arms, medians and track surface
improvements are completed. The final roadway work is proposed to be finished in 2020 in conjunction
with the UPRR work.
The signals, crossing arms and track surface improvements will be performed by UPRR as a separate
contract. Once construction is completed, the City will apply to expand the Quiet Zone to include this
crossing. This approval is given by the Federal Rail Administration and will be completed via a separate
process.
At the December 4, 2018 meeting, Council approved an agreement with UPRR to review this project and
design plans for the crossing improvements within UPRR’s right-of-way. The design is complete, and
UPRR has submitted a construction cost estimate to the City for approval. This approval is required
before they will schedule the work and order materials.
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COSTS & FUNDING
The cost estimates of the UPRR improvements are shown in the table below. These rail safety
improvements are proposed to be funded by MN State Bonding funds. It should be noted that there is
likely to be some additional costs because these estimates do not include the required flagging work. Staff
estimates that cost to be approximately $50,000.
UPRR Bonaire Path Crossing Improvements – Cost Estimate
Crossing Surface Improvement Estimate $282,608
Signal Improvements Estimate $373,159
Total $655,767
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council approve the cost estimate for Union Pacific Railroad crossing and signal
improvements.