Agenda - Public Works Committee - 06/16/2009

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'.1 CASE #3 CONSIDER ESTABLISHING A RAILROAD QUIET ZONE By: Steven J~mko'\fsld, Assistant City Engineer Background: The City Council has expressed interest in pursui.ng the establishment of a quiet zone throughout the City which would eliminate the requirement for passing trains to routinely sound the whistle at each road crossing. The City of Ramsey has four such railroad crossings which include SunfIsh Lake Boulevard, Ramsey Boulevard, Armstrong Boulevard and Alpine Drive. In addition for the quiet zone.to be truly effective for all of Ramsey, the City of Elk River's crossing at Jarvis Street would also need to be included to provide benefit to the Northfork I Bowers Drive areas. The Director of Public Works has discussed the requirements for the establishment of such zones with the Federal RuilroadAdministration (FRA) and will be present to answer specific c.1uestions regarding the requirements making crossing eligible for the IIno whistle" aI' IIql.liet zone" designation. Below is a summary ofthestl.ltus of each crossing relative to the "no whistle" goal: . Sunfish Lake Boulevard has been reconstructed with a physical barrier (6 inch high curb) and double gate arms. The only additional requir<;lments for meeting "quiet zone" requirements are signage, the cost of which is rehltively minor. . Ramsey Boulevard has been reconstructed similar to SunfIsh Lake Boulevard and would have identical signage requirements and cost. . Armstrong Bouleve/rd does not allow sumcient length for the installation of a physical barrier similar to what is currently in place on the other two County highways. The cost of retrotitting this crossing to meet FRA requirements is unknown at this time. . Alpine Drive would require the installation of a concrete barrier between the east and westbound lane along the arms and signage. The estimated cost for this crossing to meet "quiet zone" requirements is $30,000. . Jarvis Street is obviously beyond the control of the City of Ramsey. Discussions with the City of Elk River have identitled a lack of available funding for the "quiet zone" requirements. The tirst step in the process of cre~lting the zone is to tile a "Notice of Intent to Create a New Quiet Zone", An example of such a request for the City of Hastings is included as an attachment to this case. A decision needs to be made regarding the limits of the zone requested. The lack of intormation of the cost of the Armstrong Boulevard crossing requirements and Elk River's position relative to the Jarvis crossing creates some difficulty in determining the length of the zone to be requested. It would be possible for a zone to extend from the eastern City limits through the Ramsey Boulevard crossing, and request an additional zone at a later time. 7