Title
Resolution Authorizing Lowdermilk Street and Pine Street Railroad Crossing Closure Agreement (Y-4807 B)
Body
Department: Transportation
Council District: 1
Public Hearing: N/A
Advertising Date/By: N/A
Contact 1 and Phone: Adam Fischer (2861)
Contact 2 and Phone: Tyler Meyer (2254)
PURPOSE:
A resolution is required to approve the railroad crossing closure agreement consistent with the NCDOT East Greensboro/Guilford County Traffic Separation Study and past City Council actions. This agreement will provide for associated roadway, intersection, and sidewalk improvements.
BACKGROUND:
Project Y-4807 B will realign Lowdermilk Street and Sykes Avenue into one intersection at East Market Street and will close the Pine Street crossing of the North Carolina Railroad. The project will install a traffic signal at the realigned intersection and will construct sidewalks on Lowdermilk Street from Cameron Avenue to East Market Street and on Sykes Avenue from East Market Street to Calumet Place. This project will connect to City project EL-5101DM to modernize the rest of Lowdermilk Street and Holts Chapel Road with curb and gutter and sidewalks.
The Pine Street crossing closure will improve rail and roadway safety by removing a redundant rail crossing. This is part of a long term strategy for improving rail safety and operations based on the findings of NCDOT’s East Guilford Track Separation Study (2004, updated in 2013). The sidewalks, intersection realignment, and traffic signal will improve roadway and pedestrian safety and mobility and support community priorities. Extensive public and community involvement has been conducted for these improvements, which have been endorsed by the Heath Community Organization. The Greensboro City Council approved the project and the Pine Street crossing closure on June 1, 2010.
NCDOT designed the project and will fund and oversee its construction. Because the NCDOT funding source is eligible for design and construction only, the City will be responsible to purchase right-of-way needed to accommodate the realigned intersection and sidewalk improvements. The Crossing Closure Agreement describes the project details and the responsibilities of the signatory agencies NCDOT, Norfolk Southern Railroad, the North Carolina Railroad, and the City of Greensboro.
BUDGET IMPACT:
The City will be required to fund Right of Way purchases for the project estimated to be approximately $960,000. Funding for ROW will come from 2008 bond fund account 471-4503-02.6012. A budget adjustment is required to move funds into the project account.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
The Transportation Department recommends and requests approval of the attached resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute the Crossing Closure agreement with NCDOT, Norfolk Southern and the North Carolina Railroad for Project Y-4807 B and requests approval of the associated budget adjustment.