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Background: <br />Observations: <br />Recommendation: <br />DISCUSS RAILROAD QUIET ZONE IMPROVEMENTS <br />ALONG JARVIS STREET AND 165 AVENUE IN ELK RIVER <br />By: Tim Himmer, City Engineer <br />CASE # <br />The City has been working to initiate railroad Quiet Zone standards within the City limits for <br />some time now. With the recent upgrades of Sunfish Lake and Ramsey Boulevards we now <br />meet the required standards at the east end of town, and this area will become an official Quiet <br />Zone on February 25, 2010. This year Alpine Drive, from Armstrong Blvd. to TH 10 will be <br />overlaid as part of the street maintenance program, and improvements are proposed for the <br />railroad crossing along this roadway. Because of the delay in reconstructing Armstrong <br />Boulevard, to investigate an interchange over the BNSF railroad tracks and TH 10, meeting <br />Quiet Zone standards on the west end of town are in limbo until upgrades to that crossing are <br />initiated. <br />Due to their proximity to the westerly City limits, 165 Avenue and Jarvis Street in Elk River <br />play a vital role is securing a total Quiet Zone within the City of Ramsey. Staff and Council <br />members have met with officials from Elk River to discuss a joint venture to improve these <br />railroad crossings in an effort to advance the City's Quiet Zone initiative. While Elk River <br />understands the City's desire for a total Quiet Zone, upgrades to 165 Avenue and Jarvis Street <br />are not one of their highest priorities. They have stated that they would be supportive of an <br />expanded Quiet Zone and open to required improvements, but they do not have the resources to <br />take them on at this time. <br />Required improvements to make 165 Avenue and Jarvis Street eligible for Quiet Zone <br />standards include widening the roadway approximately three feet (3') on either side, installation <br />of a concrete median for approximately sixty feet (60') on either side of the railroad crossing, <br />and relocation/installation of approved railroad gate arms and surfacing. Elk River has estimated <br />these improvements at $687,000 (see attached exhibits). <br />It should also be noted that there exists a private railroad crossing exists to the southwest of the <br />southerly extension of Puma Street located on land owned by Pearson Properties of Ramsey <br />LLC. This crossing will also need to be resolved at some point if a total Quiet Zone within <br />Ramsey City limits is to be realized. <br />Since Quiet Zone standards are not currently met at Armstrong Boulevard staff recommends <br />delaying this decision to finance work outside of the City limits until such time that future <br />Armstrong improvements are understood. During this time discussions with Elk River should <br />