Title
Staff Report for a Resolution to Approve a Public Highway and Pedestrian At-Grade Crossing Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for Improvements to the Alvarado Street Rail Crossing of the Niles Subdivision
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a Resolution approving a Public Highway and Pedestrian At-Grade Crossing Agreement (Crossing Agreement) with Union Pacific Railroad for improvements and easements for the Alvarado Street rail crossing of the Niles Subdivision. The improvements will include new pedestrian sidewalks that cross the track at 90-degree angles with flashing light pedestrian warning devices and associated safety features at each approach.
SLTC, LLC (SLTC), a California limited liability company and developer of the San Leandro Tech Campus, will install the required sidewalks, handrails, pavement markings, and signs. Union Pacific Railroad will install the flashing light warning devices and the concrete crossing panels that provide the walking surface between the track rails. Payment to Union Pacific Railroad will be disbursed from an escrow account established by SLTC according to an Escrow Agreement with the City.
BACKGROUND
Adoption of the City's Downtown San Leandro Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Strategy allows increased residential development in and around the San Leandro BART station. This expected growth will also increase pedestrian travel in and around the San Leandro Tech Campus. Immediately west of the Tech Campus, the Niles Subdivision rail line crosses Alvarado Street at an acute skew angle with adjoining sidewalks that serve pedestrians. Because the Niles Subdivision serves both freight and Amtrak trains and the expected increase of pedestrian travel, the City under the direction of the California Public Utilities Commission required SLTC to upgrade the sidewalks and safety features at this crossing. The Development Agreement that governs the phasing of the Tech C...
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