TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Kristoff T. Bauer, Deputy City Manager
FROM: Rob Stone, P.E., Director of Public Services
Tracey Broyles, Budget and Evaluation Director
DATE: June 11, 2018
RE:
Title
Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing a Municipal Agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation for Highway-Railway, Grade Crossing Signals on Dobson Drive and Adoption of Capital Project Ordinance 2018-37
end
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
1
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal I: Safe and Secure Community
Objective B: To ensure traffic safety by striving to reduce preventable vehicle accidents and traffic related fatalities and injuries
Executive Summary:
The Council is asked to adopt a resolution to authorize a municipal agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to support the installation of active traffic control warning devices at the railroad crossing on Dobson Drive. The NCDOT estimated the total cost of the warning device project to be $250,000, with the NCDOT to fund $225,000 (90%) and requested participation by the City of $25,000 (10%). In addition, the City will be responsible to complete minor associated roadway work, estimated at a cost of $5,000, which will be reimbursed by the NCDOT. Capital Project Ordinance (CPO) 2018-37 will appropriate $25,000 from a General Fund transfer and $5,000 from the NCDOT to establish the project budget.
Background:
The North Carolina Department of Transportation conducts yearly reviews of at-grade highway-railway crossings, along NCDOT and municipal streets, to select crossing locations for installation of grade crossing signals. These projects are developed to increase the safety of citizens in the community.
During NCDOT’s review, the at-grade crossing on Dobson Drive at the Norfolk Southern Railway tracks was identified for a proposed project for active warning devices since the existing crossing only has passive cross buck warning devices. The proposed project would include the design and construction of crossing safety improvements consisting of active traffic control warning devices, and related roadway safety improvements. The estimated cost for the crossing safety improvements is $250,000. NCDOT will provide 90% ($225,000) of the funding for the project from the Federal Highway Administration funds, and the City will be responsible for the remaining 10% ($25,000).
The City will also be responsible to complete any roadway work that may be required to accommodate the installation of the crossing safety improvements. The cost of those roadway improvements are estimated at $5,000 and will be reimbursed by the NCDOT.
Staff attended a recent community watch meeting for this area to receive feedback from the community regarding the project. The majority of responses from the meeting and later emails are in support of the project.
Issues/Analysis:
NCDOT requires a resolution of the Council to move forward with the execution of the municipal agreement to initiate the project to install active traffic control warning devices at the railroad crossing on Dobson Drive.
The municipal agreement requires a commitment from the City that it will be responsible for any costs not reimbursed by the Federal Highway Administration.
Budget Impact:
The current fiscal year General Fund budget includes funding for the $25,000 local share of this project.
Options:
1. Adopt the resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute the municipal agreement and also adopt Capital Project Ordinance 2018-37.
2. Do not adopt the resolution or the capital project ordinance and provide further direction to staff.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends that Council move to adopt the resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute the Municipal Agreement for the highway-railway grade crossing improvements on Dobson Drive and also adopt Capital Project Ordinance 2018-37 as presented.
Attachments:
• Municipal Agreement Z-5400FX
• Resolution Authorizing Municipal Agreement Z-5400FX
• Capital Project Ordinance (CPO) 2018-37
• Map
• Example Railroad Crossing Signals and Gates