Agenda - Council - 07/14/2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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., CASE #.3 CONSIDER ESTABLISHING A RAILROAD QUIET ZONE By: Steven .Jnnkowsld, Assistant City Engineer B~lckgrollnd: The City Council has expressed interest in pursuing the establishment af a quiet zone throughout the City which would elimimxte the requirement for passing trains to t'olltinely sound the whistle . at each road crossing. The City of Ramsey has four such railroad crossings which inchlde Suntish Lake Boulevard, Ramsey Boulevard, Armstrong Boulevard and Alpine Drive. [n 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 / Bowers Drive areas. The Director of Public Works has discussed the requirements for the establishment of such zones with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and will be present to answer specitlc questions regarding the requirements making crossing eligible for the "no whistle" or "quiet zone" designation. Below is a summary of the status of each crossing relative to the "no whistle" goal: . S~mjish Lake Bou/~vard has been reconstructed with a physical barrier (6 inch high curb) and double gate arms. The only additional requirements for meeting \\q\det zone" requirements are signage, the cost 0 f which is relatively minor, . Ran/say Boulevard has been reconstructed similar to Sunfish Lake Bql,.llevard and would have identical signage requirements and cost. . Armstrong Boulevard does not allow sut1icient 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 b~lITier between the east (;U1d ~estbound 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 identitied a lack of available funding for the IIquiet zone" reqlliremel'lts. The tirst step in the process of creating the zone is to file a. "Notice of Intent to Create a New Quiet Zone". An example OfSllCh a reqw::st 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 information of the cost of the Armstrong Boulevard crossing requirements and Elk River' S position relative to the Jarvis crossing creates some diffic1.llty 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