DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 1 and 5
SUBJECT:
District 1 and District 5 Austin 1 Quiet Zone Project
SUMMARY:
This ordinance will authorize the reallocation of funds in the amount of $200,000.00 from the District 1 Infrastructure Management Program to the Districts 1 and 5 Quiet Zone project along the Austin 1 rail line.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Districts 1 and 5 Quiet Zone project along the Austin 1 rail line provides for the construction of a 0.53 mile long quiet zone along seven crossings on the Austin 1 Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) line from Fredericksburg Road in Council District 1 to Delgado Street in Council District 5.
The project also will bridge two quiet zones that currently exist along the Austin 1 line allowing for a quiet zone 2.41 miles long from Martin Street (Haven-for Hope Quiet Zone) in the south direction and Hollywood Street (District 1 South Quiet Zone) in the north direction.
Quiet Zones are governed by rules of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The FRA requires that the average risk of vehicle accidents within the Quiet Zone be reduced by implementing safety measures such as concrete medians, conversion of crossings from two-way to one-way traffic, signage and pavement markings, installation of quad gates and crossing closures.
ISSUE:
This ordinance will authorize the reallocation of funds in the amount of $200,000.00 from the District 1 Infrastructure Management Program to the Districts 1 and 5 Quiet Zone project along the Austin 1 rail line.
For the Districts 1 and 5 Quiet Zone project along the Austin 1 rail line, the safety measures to be implemented to minimize risk of potential accidents include installing guard rails, medians, pavement markings and signs at an estimated cost of $200,000.00. If these are approved by the FRA, they will establish this area as a Quiet Zone whereby trains will not routinely sound their horns. However, locomotive crews still retain the option to use the train horn in the event of emergencies.
Construction activities on the Districts 1 and 5 Quiet Zone project along the Austin 1 rail line are expected to take place from July through October 2014.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose not to reallocate funds; however, this would adversely affect the completion of the Districts 1 and 5 Quiet Zone project along the Austin 1 rail line and an alternative funding source for this project would need to be identified.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This is a one-time Capital Improvement expenditure and funds in the amount of $200,000.00 are available for reallocation from the District 1 Infrastructure Management Program to the Districts 1 and 5 Quiet Zone project along the Austin 1 rail line.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance authorizing the reallocation of funds in the amount of $200,000.00 from the District 1 Infrastructure Management Program to the Districts 1 and 5 Quiet Zone project along the Austin 1 rail line.