6.9.A. SR 05-16-2005
Item# 6.9.A.
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Mayor and City Council
Michele MCPherso~ctor of Planning
FROM:
DATE:
May 16, 2005
SUBJECT:
Discuss Railroad Quiet Zones
MetroPlains, the developer for the Downtown Revitalization Project, requested in July 2004 that
the City investigate establishing quiet zones within the downtown area in order to better market
their projects. In September 2004, staff presented information to the City Council indicating
that quiet zones could cost from $75,000-$300,000 per intersection, depending upon the type of
supplemental safety measure (SSM) to be installed for each intersection. The SSM prevents
vehicles and pedestrians from crossing the tracks while the gates are down, thereby eliminating
the need to sound the whisdes. The expense to establish the quiet zone is borne solely by the
City with no assistance from the Federal government or Burlington Northern Sante Fe.
In December 2004, the City Council directed staff to further investigate the establishment of
quiet zones at Main Street, Jackson and
Proctor Avenues and Meadowvale Road.
Staff utilized the Federal Railroad Authority
(FRA) quiet zone calculator to attempt to
identify the measures that would be required
and their possible estimated cost. However,
there are significant site constraints at each
intersection which lead staff to question the
cost estimates noted in the quiet zone
calculator. Specifically, the proximity of
Highway 10 to the railroad tracks, as well as
local impacts such as the creation of limited
access points. In all likelihood some type of
median system would be required; this median
system would adversely impact the Railroad
Drive access points on the north side of the
railroad tracks.
Planning Department Mission: the orderly development of a livable and sustainable Elk River community.
Memo to the Mayor and City Council
Discuss Railroad Quiet Zones
May 16, 2005
Page 2
These impacts will need to be further evaluated by a consultant to determine the feasibility of
establishing the SSMs required for establishing quiet zones per the FRA rules.
The City is applying for grant monies to further study the Highway 10 improvements identified
in the IRC study by MNDoT. It appears that the study of the establishment of quiet zones is a
complementary part of this more detailed study.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Council consider the inclusion of the study of the establishment of
quiet zones in the overall Highway 10 corridor study when and if money is obtained.
S:\PLANNING\Michele McPherson\CCREPRTS\Os 1605 quiet zones.doc