Title
Staff Report for a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Service Contract Agreement with the State of California Department of Transportation, and the Appropriation of Reimbursable Funds in the Amount of $340,875.00 for the Section 130 Grade Crossing Improvement Program for the Washington/Chapman Railroad Crossing Improvement Project, Project No. 2016.0320
Staffreport
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends approval of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Service Contract Agreement that accepts federal funding and obligates the City to perform the project work, and to appropriate reimbursable funds in the amount of $340,875.00 for the Washington/Chapman Railroad Crossing Improvement Project, Project No. 2016.0320.
BACKGROUND
There is a four lane roadway at the project location (Washington Avenue) where two lanes run in opposite directions. A single track railway crosses Washington Avenue at a skewed angle. This rail line is the Niles Subdivision, which is the main north-south passenger train corridor in the Eastbay. Chapman Road intersects Washington Avenue in the middle of the crossing which forces drivers who are turning left onto Washington Avenue from Chapman Road, to immediately encounter the track crossing. Three incidents were reported at this crossing in recent years; a pedestrian fatality, a vehicular fatality and a vehicular non-fatal accident.
The City, along with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), wants to improve traffic safety at all railroad crossings within the City. The CPUC regularly prioritizes crossings to receive improvements based upon hazard potential. Section 130 Grade Crossing Improvement Program Grant funding is available for railroad and highway improvements at the Washington/Chapman crossing. Programmed highway and pedestrian improvements to be constructed by the city will consist of:
* Reconstructing the median islands to channel the Washington Avenue left turn ...
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