LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH CENTER
File #: 16-1092    Name:
Type: Consent Item Status: Passed
File created: 8/30/2016 In control: Broken Arrow City Council
On agenda: 9/6/2016 Final action: 9/6/2016
Title: Approval of and authorization to execute Union Pacific Railroad Traffic Signal Preemption Request Forms for railroad grade crossings at Main Street near Fort Worth Street, Elm Place near Broadway Street, and Oneta Road near State Highway 51
Attachments: 1. 160817 UPRR Preemption Request Form - OK Broken Arrow - Main St - DOT# 413396X..., 2. 160818 UPRR Preemption Request Form - OK Broken Arrow - Elm ST - DOT# 413393C ..., 3. 160817 UPRR Preemption Request Form - OK Broken Arrow - Oneta Rd - DOT# 413404...

Broken Arrow City Council

                                                                                               Meeting of: 09-06-16

                                                                                    

To:                     Mayor and City Council

From:                     Department of Engineering and Construction

Title: 

title

                     Approval of and authorization to execute Union Pacific Railroad Traffic Signal Preemption Request Forms for railroad grade crossings at Main Street near Fort Worth Street, Elm Place near Broadway Street, and Oneta Road near State Highway 51

End

Background:

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) are reviewing street grade crossings at a number of locations across the state, with the goal of improving safety for the traveling public.  Representatives of ODOT and UPRR met at the Main Street and Elm Place crossing sites with Engineering and Construction Department personnel in January 2016.  Because the design of the Main Street Streetscapes Phase IV was ongoing, E&C asked Jon Eshelman of Traffic Engineering Consultants to participate in the site meetings.  About two months later, UPRR sent signal preemption questionnaires to the City, and we enlisted Mr. Eshelman’s assistance in responding to those questionnaires.  In August, the UPRR sent the attached Traffic Signal Preemption Request Forms for completion by the City Engineer.  The forms will request that the UPRR preempt the adjacent traffic signals when trains approach the crossings and commit the City to working with the railroad to implement the preemptions.  General Services Signal Division personnel have determined that signal upgrades to accommodate the preemptions could cost $25,000 or more per intersection, and it is undetermined whether ODOT funding for those expenses are available.  The signal preemption at Main Street and Fort Worth Street can be accomplished during the construction of the signal in Streetscapes Phase IV.  The preemptions for the other two crossings are necessary for public safety, and if ODOT funding is not forthcoming, the improvements should be funded in future annual operating budgets.  It is anticipated that this type of work could be fundable through the Vision 2025 sales tax extension funds, if necessary.

 


Cost:                                                                None

Prepared By:                                           Alex M. Mills, P.E., Director of Engineering and
                                    Construction

Reviewed By:                                          Finance Department
                                    Assistant City Manager-Operations
                                    Legal Department                           

Approved By:                      Michael L. Spurgeon, City Manager
                                   

Attachments:                                          Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Traffic Signal Preemption Request
                                        Form, Elm Place and West Broadway Avenue

                                    Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Traffic Signal Preemption Request
                                        Form, Main Street and Fort Worth Street
                                    Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Traffic Signal Preemption Request
                                        Form, Oneta Road and State Highway 51

Recommendation:

Approve the Union Pacific Railroad Traffic Signal Preemption Request Forms and authorize their execution.