8.1. SR 02-18-2014 City of
Elk=' Request for Action
River
To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 8.1
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
General Business February 18, 2014 Justin Femrite, P.E., City Engineer
Item Description Reviewed by
Quiet Zone Notice of Intent Cal Portner, City Administrator
Reviewed by
Click here to enter text.
Action Requested
Approve,by motion,the attached Notice of Intent to establish a Quiet Zone, and further direct staff to
distribute said notice with all affected agencies in accordance with Federal Quiet Zone rules.
Background/Discussion
On January 29, 2014, staff conducted a diagnostic meeting to review our proposed quiet zone
improvements with affected agencies. The agencies represented at the meeting included BNSF,Federal
Railroad Administration (FRA),Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), Sherburne County,
Great River Energy,Amtrak, and Quietzone Technologies, our consultant.
The improvements detailed in Option 2 as selected by the City Council at the meeting on September 3,
2013,were presented at the diagnostic meeting. These improvements included installation of a wayside
horn system at Proctor Road, and supplemental safety measures (channelization devices/raised medians)
at 1715`Avenue, 165`h Avenue, and Jarvis Street. Based on federal rules, these improvements alone
reduce the overall risk index enough to qualify all of our crossings for a Quiet Zone. The representatives
at the meeting made comments and suggestions of additional safety improvements they would like to see
made at each of the crossings. The minutes from this meeting are attached.
Based on the suggestions provided, staff reviewed our proposed improvements and further enhanced
some of our proposed safety upgrades. These enhancements are reflected in the attached Notice of
Intent.
As proposed the quiet zone will include three Sherburne County roadway crossings. This will require the
submittal of a joint Notice of Intent that includes signatures from both the city and the county. Staff is
working with Sherburne County on obtaining their approval.
The submittal of this Notice of Intent formally initiates the process for establishing a quiet zone and
begins a 60-day comment period in which the agencies can provide additional comments.
Financial Impact
This approval will have no direct financial impact.
Attachments
• Diagnostic Meeting Minutes
• Notice of Intent
P O w E H E U A Y
UREJ
Q) W ay i n
/`111 OC 4Uit Zo
no
Soiutioosn:J os HNO/
Elk River,MN Diagnostic Team Review Notes
1/29/14
Attendees:
Michael Fields Amtrak
Nathan Waller BNSF
Rick Van Wagner MNDOT
Rhonda Lewis Sherburne County
Calvin Portner City of Elk River
Justin Femrite City of Elk River
Tammy Wagner FRA
Paul Comstock FRA
Dan Belair City of Elk River
Bentley Tomlin BNSF
Robert Albritton Quiet Zone Technologies
Purpose: To discuss the desired treatments required to create a new 24 Hour Quiet Zone on the
BNSF corridor in Elk River, MN.
All participants of the Diagnostic Team Review met at City Hall where introductions were made
and a summary of the City of Elk River's intensions to create a quiet zone at all crossings through
the City.
General comment made by the FRA that all of these items are recommendations by the
FRA and not requirements.
Zebulon Street(DOT 082951B)
This is a Sherburne County roadway. Elk River stated that there had been a fatality at the
crossing on 1/20/14. The City stated that an individual parked near the crossing and exited their
vehicle and then walked down the railroad tracks and was struck and killed by a Northstar
commuter train. The City stated that it was its intention not to treat this crossing with either a
SSM or Wayside Horn. The BNSF stated that they do not like Wayside Horns. BNSF and FRA
stated that they would prefer to see some sort of treatment implemented to improve the safety of
the crossing, whether it is a four-quadrant gate system, three-quadrant gate and or short medians.
BNSF also stated that since the crossing has two tracks, the situation may occur where a train is
stopped near the crossing and another train approaches a motorist may precede across the
crossing without viewing the approaching train. BNSF also stated that they would like to see"Do
7477 Benbrook Parkway . Benbrook,TX 76126 . T 817 820 63
SO .
F817820 6340 .
Qujet2
Ooe2
ec,6
.C'0117
Not Stop on Tracks" signs installed. All advance warning signs will have to have "No Train
Horn" signs installed.
Ogden Street(DOT 075713R)
This is an Elk River roadway. The BNSF and FRA stated that they would like to see some sort of
median installed. The City stated that it was its intention not to treat this crossing with either a
SSM or Wayside Horn. FRA asked if the crossing could be closed and the City stated that they
had previously studied that idea but due to the lack of good connecting roadways that it was not
feasible to close the crossing. BNSF also stated that they would like to see "Do Not Stop on
Tracks" signs installed. All advance warning signs will have to have "No Train Horn" signs
installed.
Meadowvale Road(DOT 082947L)
This is an Sherburne County roadway. The City stated that it was its intention not to treat this
crossing with either a SSM or Wayside Horn. The BNSF and FRA suggested that the crossing be
treated with four-quadrant gates. BNSF also stated that they would like to see "Do Not Stop on
Tracks" signs installed. All advance warning signs will have to have "No Train Horn" signs
installed.
E
t
Proctor Avenue(DOT 082946E)
This is a Sherburne County roadway. The City stated that it was its intention to install Wayside
Horns at this crossing. BNSF stated that they prefer SSMs over Wayside Horns. BNSF also
stated that they are going to investigate the right-of-way limits of the crossing. It>appears that
Beaudry's vehicles are utilizing a,driveway in the Northeast quadrant and exiting the Beaudry
facility in the Southwest quadrant. The FRA stated that it would like to see both of these
driveways closed or relocated. MNDOT stated that they are concerned about the current safety of
the crossing since the two driveways are in such close proximity to the crossing that automatic
gates and flashing lights should be installed, with or without a Quiet Zone. The FRA and
MNDOT stated that they would prefer a four-quadrant gate system at this crossing. BNSF also
stated that they would like to see "Do Not Stop on Tracks" signs installed. All advance warning
signs will have to have"No Train Horn"signs installed.
L
i
I
Jackson Avenue(DOT 082944R)
This is an Elk River roadway. The City stated that it was its intention not to treat this crossing
with either a SSM or Wayside Horn. The BNSF stated that this crossing had a broken gate in
2013. BNSF stated that it would prefer to see a four-quadrant gate installed. MNDOT stated that
the crossing has traffic signal pre-emption. MNDOT and BNSF stated that they are concerned
with pedestrian safety due to crossing being double tracked and the limited sight distance due to
the curvature of the track to the west and the close proximity of a building in the northwest C
quadrant. BNSF and MNDOT stated that they would like to see some active warning device,
either flashing lights or flashing lights and gates, installed for the pedestrians. MNDOT and
BNSF stated that installing pedestrian mazes may also be appropriate. The FRA recommended
that the City review a recent Volpe report on pedestrian safety. MNDOT and BNSF would also
like to see the traffic signal located in the northwest quadrant relocated as its current location may
obstruct visibility of the flashing lights. BNSF also stated that they would like to see "Do Not
Stop on Tracks" signs installed. All advance warning signs will have to have "No Train Horn"
signs installed. j
Main Street(DOT 082943J)
This is an Elk River roadway. The City stated that it was its intention not to treat this crossing
with either a SSM or Wayside Horn. BNSF stated that there was a near miss in August 2013.
The BNSF stated that it would like to limit access on the roadway located in the southeast
quadrant which services Great River Energy to right-in, right-out. BNSF also stated that they
would prefer to close or relocate Railroad Drive in the northwest quadrant. BNSF and FRA
stated that they would prefer the crossing be treated with four-quadrant gates or an SSM/ASM
raised median. A representative of Great River Energy stated that their trucks turn right onto the
access roadway and the employees of Great River Energy turn left from the access road onto
Main Street when leaving work. BNSF and MNDOT stated that they would like to see active
warning devices be installed for pedestrians. BNSF also stated that they would like to see "Do
Not Stop on Tracks" signs installed. All advance warning signs will have to have "No Train
Horn" signs installed.
Great River Energy-Private Crossing(DOT 101673S)
I
This is a private crossing located within the Great River Energy power plant. The representative
of Great River Energy stated that tractor trailers, commercial vehicles and employee vehicles
utilize the crossing. Great River Energy stated that approximately 50 tractor trailer trucks use the
crossing on a daily basis. BNSF stated that they had concern with the stop sign located in the
southeast quadrant. FRA stated that the crossing is acceptable in its current configuration as long
i
i
I
i
as "No Train Horn" signs are installed. BNSF stated that there had been gate knockdowns
reported in the past. BNSF suggested that the private crossing not be included in the Quiet Zone
by breaking the Quiet Zone in half, the first half be Zebulon Street through Main Street and the
second half consisting of 1715 Avenue, 165`' Avenue and Jarvis Street. Great River Energy and
Elk River stated that they would like to have this crossing included in the Quiet Zone. BNSF
stated that they will make additional comments at a later date.
171"Avenue(DOT 917432K)
This is an Elk River roadway. The City indicated their intension to construct a trail crossing on
the east side of this roadway in 2015. The BNSF stated they would like to see pedestrian mazes
to force bicyclists to stop at the crossing. The City stated that it was its intention to utilize the
pre-existing SSM, raised medians,as the treatment for this crossing. FRA stated that they need to
know when the raised medians were installed. The FRA stated that if the raised medians were
installed after August 2003, then the City would not receive credit for the raised medians.
Amtrak stated that they had concern for pedestrians crossing the tracks due to the close proximity
of the Northstar station stop located to the west of the crossing. The City stated that they would
verify the height of the raised median to determine if it meets the minimum 6 inch height
requirement. If the raised median has to be altered then it will be treated as a new SSM. BNSF
also stated that they would like to see "Do Not Stop on Tracks" signs installed. All advance
warning signs will have to have"No Train Horn"signs installed.
The City of Elk River later confirmed that the raised medians were constructed in 2001.
165th Avenue(DOT 082938M)
This is an Elk River roadway. The City stated that it was its intention to install either a raised
median or channelization device at this crossing. The FRA stated that if the roadway speed is
higher than 40 MPH then the City would have to petition the FRA for a waiver in order to install
either raised medians or channelization devices. The BNSF stated that it would prefer a raised
median over the installation of channelization devices. It was determined that the roadway
located in the northeast quadrant served the railroad. There is another commercial driveway
located in the southwest quadrant which will have to be relocated to a distance of at least 60 feet
measured from the crossing gate. The City stated that there is a proposed roadway improvement
project slated for 2015 for 1'65th Avenue. The BNSF stated that they would prefer that the City
wait on implementing its Quiet Zone until this project is completed. BNSF also stated that they
would like to see"Do Not Stop on!Tracks"signs'installed. All advance warning signs will have E
to have"No Train Horn"signs installed. !
I
f
I
i
1
Jarvis Street(DOT 082936Y)
This is an Elk River roadway. The City stated that it was its intention to install either a raised
median or channelization device at this crossing. The FRA stated that if the roadway speed is
higher than 40 MPH then the City would have to petition the FRA for a waiver in order to install
either raised medians or channelization devices. The BNSF stated that it would prefer a raised
median over the installation of channelization devices. There is a commercial driveway located
in the southeast quadrant within 60 feet of the gate. The City stated that it would extend the
raised median or channelization device at least 60 feet. The City stated that there is a proposed
roadway improvement project slated for 2015 for Jarvis Street. The BNSF stated that they would
prefer that the City wait on implementing its Quiet Zone until this project is completed. BNSF
also stated that they would like to see "Do Not Stop on Tracks" signs installed. All advance
warning signs will have to have"No Train Hord'signs installed.
E
I
i
r
E
February 19, 2014
Associate Administrator for Safety
Federal Railroad Administration
Office of Safety, RRS-23
120 Vermont Avenue,NW
Washington, DC 20590
Subject: Notice for Intent to Establish a Railroad Quiet Zone Under 49 CFR 222.43
Quiet Zone: City of Elk River Quiet Zone
This letter and the attachments are a Notice of Intent for the creation of a quiet zone. This Notice
of Intent is being filed jointly by the City of Elk River, MN and Sherburne County, MN. As
required by the Federal Railroad Administration, the following information is provided to you
and other parties.
All public highway-rail grade crossings to be included within the proposed quiet zone are:
Crossing D Street Name
082951B Zebulon Street
075713R Ogden Street
082947L Meadowvale Road
082946E Proctor Avenue
082944R Jackson Avenue
082943J Main Street
917432K 171St Avenue
082938M 165th Avenue
082936Y Jarvis Street
All private rail grade crossings to be included within the proposed quiet zone are:
Crossing D Street Name
101673S Great River Energy
The quiet zone is proposed to restrict the routine sounding of locomotive horns 24-hours a day.
The City of Elk River and Sherburne County's plan to implement a quiet zone at each crossing
is:
Zebulon Street: The crossing is equipped with active warning devices consisting of bells,
flashing lights, automatic gates, a power-out-indicator and constant warning time
circuitry. There is no plan to add SSM's, ASM's or Wayside Horns to this crossing. Elk
River intends to install "No Train Horn" signs on each advance warning sign and "Do
Not Stop on Tracks" signs at the crossing.
Ogden Street: The crossing is equipped with active warning devices consisting of bells,
flashing lights, automatic gates, a power-out-indicator and constant warning time
circuitry. There is no plan to add SSM's, ASM's or Wayside Horns to this crossing. Elk
River intends to install "No Train Horn" signs on each advance warning sign and a "Do
Not Stop on Tracks" sign to the north of the tracks facing southbound traffic.
Meadowvale Road: The crossing is equipped with active warning devices consisting of
bells, flashing lights, automatic gates, a power-out-indicator and constant warning time
circuitry. There is no plan to add SSM's, ASM's or Wayside Horns to this crossing. Elk
River intends to install "No Train Horn" signs on each advance warning sign.
Proctor Avenue: The crossing is equipped with active warning devices consisting of
bells, flashing lights, automatic gates, a power-out-indicator and constant warning time
circuitry. The City of Elk River intends to install a Wayside Horn that will comply with
Appendix E to Part 222—Requirements for Wayside Horns. Elk River intends to install
"No Train Horn" signs on each advance warning sign. Tactile strips, "No Train Horn"
signs, and "Look"both way signs will be added on each sidewalk approach.
Jackson Avenue: The crossing is equipped with active warning devices consisting of
bells, flashing lights, automatic gates, a power-out-indicator and constant warning time
circuitry. There is no plan to add SSM's, ASM's or Wayside Horns to this crossing. Elk
River intends to install "No Train Horn" signs on each advance warning sign and a "Do
Not Stop on Tracks" sign to the north of the tracks facing southbound traffic. Tactile
strips, "No Train Horn" signs, and "Look"both way signs will be added on each
sidewalk approach.
Main Street: The crossing is equipped with active warning devices consisting of bells,
flashing lights, automatic gates, a power-out-indicator and constant warning time
circuitry. There is no plan to add SSM's, ASM's or Wayside Horns to this crossing. Elk
River intends to install "No Train Horn" signs on each advance warning sign, a track
parallel sign for Railroad Drive west of the tracks and a track parallel sign for UPA Drive
east of the tracks. Tactile strips, "No Train Horn" signs, and "Look"both way signs will
be added on each sidewalk approach.
Great River Energy: The crossing is equipped with active warning devices consisting of
bells, flashing lights, automatic gates, a power-out-indicator, constant warning time
circuitry, "STOP" signs and cross-bucks. The City of Elk River, after having conducted
a Diagnostic Team review, intends to install "No Train Horn" signs on each advance
warning sign. Should we also be installing a do not stop on tracks sign for WB
movements?
171St Avenue: The crossing is equipped with active warning devices consisting of bells,
flashing lights, automatic gates, a power-out-indicator and constant warning time
circuitry. There are also pre-existing SSM, raised median that complies with the
requirements of Appendix A to Part 222 A 3 Gates with Medians or Channelization
Devices. The existing raised medians where installed in 2001. Elk River intends to
install "No Train Horn" signs on each advance warning sign. "No Train Horn" signs and
"Look"both way signs will be added on each sidewalk approach.
165th Avenue: The crossing is equipped with active warning devices consisting of bells,
flashing lights, automatic gates, a power-out-indicator and constant warning time
circuitry. The City of Elk River intends to install a raised median that complies with the
requirements of Appendix A to Part 222 A 3 Gates with Medians or Channelization
Devices. Elk River intends to install "No Train Horn" signs on each advance warning
sign.
Jarvis Street: The crossing is equipped with active warning devices consisting of bells,
flashing lights, automatic gates, a power-out-indicator and constant warning time
circuitry. The City of Elk River intends to install a raised median that complies with the
requirements of Appendix A to Part 222 A 3 Gates with Medians or Channelization
Devices. Elk River intends to install "No Train Horn" signs on each advance warning
sign.
Name and title of person who will act as point of contact during the quiet zone development
process:
Justin Femrite
City Engineer
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
Phone: (763) 635-1051
Email:jfemrite @elkrivermn.gov
See the attached list of each party receiving this notification.
ACTION REQUIRED
Please consider this notice as the beginning date of the required 60-day comment period in the
Quiet Zone process. The 60-day comment period for this Quiet Zone will end on (date sent plus
60 days), or when written comments or a "no comment" statement is received from each
recipient of this notice whichever comes first.
Respectfully submitted,
Justin Femrite Rhonda Lewis
City Engineer County Engineer
City of Elk River Sherburne County
Notice for Intent to Establish a Railroad Quiet Zone Written Notice Recipients
1. Railroads operating over the grade crossings:
Bentley Tomlin
Manager Public Projects
BNSF Railway
Jan E. Ruby, Sr.
Northstar Commuter Rail
19699 Co. Road 43
Big Lake, MN 55309
Dave Klouda
Division Engineer
Amtrak
500 W. Jackson Blvd., 2nd Floor
Chicago, I160661
2. State agency responsible for highway and road safety, and State agency responsible for grade
crossing safety:
Rick Van Wagner
Projects Manager
Minnesota Department of Transportation
Mailstop 470
395 John Ireland Blvd
St. Paul, MN. 55155
3. Federal Railroad Administration
Associate Administrator for Safety
Federal Railroad Administration
Office of Safety, RRS-23
1120 Vermont Avenue,NW
Washington, DC 20590
Tammy Wagner
Regional Manager for Grade Crossing Safety
Federal Railroad Administration
200 West Adams, Suite 310
Chicago, IL 60606
4. Private Land Owner Contact
Mark Lucas
Manager, Facilities Services
Great River Energy
12300 Elm Creek Blvd
Maple Grove, MN 55369-4718
Quiet Zone Update
February 18, 2014
Elk River Quiet Zone
Option 2-as selected by the City Council on
September 3, 2013.
Install wayside horn system at Proctor Road
•
Install SSM’s (Supplemental Safety Measures)
•
at: 171Avenue
st
165Avenue
th
Jarvis Street
Held diagnostic meeting on January 29, 2014
•
Quiet Zone –Zebulon Street
Quiet Zone –Ogden Street
Quiet Zone –Meadowvale Rd.
Quiet Zone –Proctor Road
Tactile Strips
and Signs
Wayside
Horns
Quiet Zone –Jackson Street
Tactile Strips
and Signs
Tactile Strips
and Signs
Quiet Zone –Main Street
Tactile Strips
and Signs
Quiet Zone –GRE Crossing
Quiet Zone –171Avenue
st
Signs
Existing
Channelization
(SSM)
Quiet Zone –165Avenue
th
Proposed
Channelization
(SSM)
Quiet Zone –Jarvis Street
Proposed
Channelization
(SSM)
Next Steps
Approve and distribute Notice of Intent
•
Incorporate any final suggested changes from
•
affected agencies
Finalize expected costs with estimates from
•
BNSF for their work
Design and construct required improvements
•