REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Amendment No. 5 and Amendment No. 6 to the Grant Agreement with the California Department of Transportation Division of Rails and Mass Transportation, to include additional at-grade crossing upgrades and to expand the budget for the Agnew Road At-Grade Crossing Project and Related Budget Amendments
Report
BACKGROUND
In 2014, City staff submitted a request for safety improvements at the Agnew Road crossing of the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) tracks (Attachment 1) under the Section 130 Railroad-Highway Crossings Program. This federally funded program, established by the U.S. Congress in 1987, is intended to eliminate hazards to vehicles and pedestrians at public railway-roadway crossings. The program is funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), administered in California by the Department of Transportation's Division of Rails and Mass Transportation (Caltrans), and utilizes federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds.
Under state guidelines and the California Public Utilities Code, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is responsible for determining the scope of work needed to eliminate hazards at all public at-grade crossings.
In July 2017, the CPUC issued final recommendations for improvements at the Agnew Road crossing. The proposed work is divided between the City and UPRR. The City's scope includes reconstruction and installation of concrete sidewalks, tactile warning strips, curb ramps, pavement striping, and adjustment of utilities within the City and railroad rights-of-way. UPRR's scope includes replacement of railroad warning devices (flashing lights and automatic gates) and reconstruction of the concrete panel crossing surface.
In December 2017, Caltrans notified the City that $573,750 in federal funding had been obligated for the City's portion of the work. This amount covers 100 percent of the City's estimated costs, and no local funding match is required. Caltrans will reimb...
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