Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Ann M. Stillman, Director of Public Works
Subject: Measure K: Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad Company for Public Highway At-Grade Crossing Improvements on Middlefield Road
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing:
A) The Board of Supervisors to retroactively authorize the Director of Public Works to execute an Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad Company for Public Highway At-Grade Crossing Improvements on Middlefield Road, in the amount of $1,543,663; and
B) The Director of Public Works, or designee, to execute amendments to the Agreement related to the Middlefield Road Improvement Project, including modifications to the Union Pacific Railroad Company’s fiscal obligations and/or contract terms, as necessary and after consultation with the County Attorney.
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BACKGROUND:
On November 15, 2011, this Board adopted Resolution No. 071714, which adopted the North Fair Oaks Community Plan (Plan). A major component of that Plan is the improvement of Middlefield Road between Pacific Avenue and Fifth Avenue to create a more attractive street with improved pedestrian and bicycle amenities. Subsequently, on July 9, 2013 this Board approved funding (approximately $12,500,000 of Measure K funding) for the Middlefield Road Improvement Project (Project), which includes improvements to the South County Health Clinic (Clinic)/Redwood Junction driveway and intersection improvements.
On October 21, 2014 the North Fair Oaks Community Council (Council), through Supervisor Slocum’s Office, presented this Board with recommendations regarding the improvements of Middlefield Road between Pacific Avenue and Fifth Avenue and requested that the County proceed with the next steps for the Project. The Council’s recommendations included: three traffic lanes (one travel lane in each direction with a center left turn lane); parallel parking; bike lanes; and sidewalks wide enough to accommodate amenities such as benches and other seating, landscaping, street and
pedestrian lighting, trash and recycling receptacles, street art, and public spaces. This Board accepted the Council’s recommendations at the October 21, 2014 Board meeting.
On February 9, 2021, this Board adopted Resolution No. 078007, which authorized an agreement with Granite Rock Company (Granite Rock) for construction of the Middlefield Road Improvements Project and authorized the Director of Public Works to execute subsequent contract change orders to grant time extensions for project completion and payment.
DISCUSSION:
When the Clinic at the northern end of the Project was constructed, the driveway was modified without authorization from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Authorization from the CPUC is required due to the driveway’s proximity to the railroad tracks. As a result, the CPUC has mandated that corrective work be completed, which was incorporated into the design of the Project. This work includes the relocation and modification of the driveway, replacement and relocation of railroad signal equipment, and installation of a new traffic signal system with railroad preemption (i.e., integration of traffic signals with the railroad signal system to respond to approaching trains).
To facilitate this work, the Department of Public Works executed an Interconnected Crossing Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) and obtained a General Order 88-B authorization from the CPUC. These approvals cover the signalization of the Clinic driveway and the installation of new traffic signals at Pacific Avenue and Hurlingame Avenue.
In addition to the signal and driveway improvements, UPRR has performed work at the railroad crossing including replacing the railroad tracks and pavement adjacent to the railroad tracks on Middlefield Road between Northside Avenue and the Clinic driveway.
While not all of the CPUC required work has been completed, the majority of the Project was completed in June 2024. Completed improvements include sanitary sewer replacement, roadway reconstruction, joint trench installation for underground utilities, streetscape enhancements, and traffic signal installation.
Work in the vicinity of the railroad tracks including removal and installation of railroad signals, crossing arms, and track replacement must be performed by UPRR, as the County is not authorized to complete this portion of the work. Execution of the Public Highway At-Grade Crossing Improvements Agreement (Agreement) with UPRR is necessary for UPRR to facilitate and complete the required railroad work. Retroactively authorizing the Director of Public Works to execute the Agreement will allow the County to reimburse UPRR for their share of work associated with the Project and enable completion of this critical component of the overall effort. Once UPRR completes their work, the final Project work at the Clinic driveway can be completed by the Department.
The County Attorney has reviewed and approved the resolution and agreement as to form.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
The UPRR improvements at the Clinic driveway includes traffic signals with railroad integration, upgrading railroad signals and crossing, new railroad tracks and reconstructed pavement. This work will provide a more accessible and visually cohesive roadway corridor for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total estimated cost for the work included in the Agreement that the County must pay for is $1,543,663 and will be funded by Measure K.
There is no impact to the General Fund.