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CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CLERK <br /> She continued, So, thus far, we've been working on those concepts and the risk analysis to see <br /> what types of safety improvements are needing to be installed in order to establish quiet zones in <br /> these three (3) corridors. To define what a quiet zone is, it is a segment of rail line within <br /> consecutive public highway rail-grade crossings where locomotive horns are not routinely <br /> sounded. To do this,you basically need to install enough safety measures to make up for the sound <br /> of the train horn. So that is the objective of this project. The first (1St) step is identifying the <br /> crossings which were shown in the previous slide. We need to update the crossing inventory for <br /> each,which we have done up to this point with our consulting.We then need to determine tentative <br /> plans for safety improvements. We have also done that already. Following that, we had to hold a <br /> diagnostic review meeting with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) where they could <br /> provide comments on our plans and additional safety measures they feel would be appropriate at <br /> those crossings. After that, we will need to provide a notice of intent to the railroads and State. <br /> This is the step we are currently at and that has a sixty (60) day comment period by the FRA and <br /> also the railroads where they can give additional comments on safety measures. <br /> She went on, There are some prescribed safety measures that the FRA finds. If we use those, it is <br /> a much quicker process. Sometimes there are some alternatives that need to be used in case of <br /> certain road geometries. That requires an application to the FRA which can take three (3) to four <br /> (4) months to review. There is at least one (1) corridor where we will probably have to do that <br /> which is the NICTD Corridor. Following that, we will install the safety measures and any other <br /> required improvements determined by the diagnostic team. We would then issue a notice of quiet <br /> zone establishment and then wait twenty(20)days after we mail that to actually establish the quiet <br /> zone. All that being said, I will go through each of the corridors to give a brief summary of what <br /> we will be expecting to be the improvements,the timeline and the cost. <br /> She continued, So the Norfolk Southern Corridor, which is from Grandview Avenue to Olive <br /> Street,we are estimating the improvements will cost around$120,000.We would look to construct <br /> this fall and this winter. The quiet zone would then be established in early 2019. What we will be <br /> doing at all of these crossings is installing all the required warning signs,pavement markings, and <br /> a mountable median north and south of the Olive Street crossing.There are just a couple of pictures <br /> of the proposed improvements (referencing a slide in the presentation). <br /> She went on, The improvements at the Olive Street crossing include mountable medians north and <br /> south of the crossing. That keeps cars from trying to go around the gates. There would also be <br /> pavement markings and warning signs at this crossing. We won't have to do any significant <br /> improvements there because there is currently a four(4) quadrant gate. We would just be keeping <br /> that and installing pavement markings and advanced warning signs. Grandview Avenue,there are <br /> actually two (2)train tracks. The southern one (1) is the Norfolk Southern one (1). It is not shown <br /> in this picture but we would be looking to install a mountable median south of that track. That <br /> would potentially require closing off part of the roadway to the west there. Again, there will also <br /> be pavement markings and signs. The Canadian National Grand Trunk Western Corridor, we <br /> estimate that cost to be around $300,000. Construction will be in the spring and summer of 2019 <br /> and it will be established in the late summer of 2019. This requires a little bit more work. In <br /> addition to the warning signs and the pavement markings, there are also bells that will need to be <br /> installed at each of the crossings. That is a basic requirement for quiet zones. We would also be <br /> installing mountable medians at both of the crossings here. There are potential sidewalk <br /> improvements pending feedback from the diagnostic team. <br /> EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT <br /> 455 County-City Building 1 227 W.Jefferson Bvld I South Bend,Indiana 466011 p 574.235.9221 If 574.235.9173 I TTD 574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov <br /> 2 <br />