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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCD SMART Andersen At-Grade Crossingctrr of Agenda Item No:n. Meeting Date: May 18, 2015 SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Department: Community Development Prepared b : � Pre Ci A P Y City Manager g pproval�, Paul Jensen, Community Development Director SUBJECT: Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with AECOM to prepare an environmental document for the Andersen Drive At -Grade Crossing with the SMART Rail Line; File No.: P15-005 RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council: 1. Accept public comment; and 2. Adopt the attached Resolution. BACKGROUND: SMART In 2006, the voters of Marin and Sonoma County passed the Measure Q sales tax funding the development of the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) commuter rail service along the former Northwestern Pacific Railroad right-of-way (NWP Mainline ROW, now SMART ROW). Based on available funding, the construction of SMART has been planned in phases. Phase 1 (referred to as the "Initial Operating Segment"), which covers the rail service from Sonoma County Airport to Downtown San Rafael is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in 2016. SMART staff informed the City of its intent to proceed with Phase 2, which includes the extension of the commuter rail service from Downtown San Rafael to Larkspur Landing, subject to securing funds for this phase. There is one segment of the SMART ROW where Andersen Drive, a public City street, crosses at grade with the rail line. As summarized below, the City of San Rafael is responsible for designing, funding and securing the needed permits/approvals for this rail crossing with Andersen Drive. If the improvements for a crossing are not implemented before train operations, Andersen Drive would be closed at this location to accommodate the train. History of Andersen Drive In 1997, the City of San Rafael extended Andersen Drive north from the intersection of Francisco Boulevard West to A Street in Downtown. The extension of Andersen Drive was intended to provide an improved connection from Downtown San Rafael to East San Rafael, 1-580, the Richmond -San Rafael Bridge and US -101. As part of the extension. the City paved over the existing railroad track along the former NWP ROW crossing and blockaded the track on either side of the roadway where the rail line FOR CITY CLERK ONLY File No.: `A -3 - 1�61 0 Council Meeting: 5 I h 2A1; Disposition: P'no U lOV1 Oct 30 SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2 crosses Andersen Drive. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) authorized the City to construct the roadway and blockade the track, but ruled that the authorization would expire once regular train service was scheduled through the crossing. Additionally, the CPUC ruled that in order to accommodate rail service through Andersen Drive, the City must apply for authorization to continue to utilize the crossing and the City would be financially responsible for making any future improvements that the Commission deemed necessary. Status of Andersen Drive Andersen Drive is a heavily traveled, two lane arterial, oriented in the general northbound/southbound direction. The roadway is skewed approximately eleven degrees in relation to the adjacent SMART rail line and ROW. A southbound left turn pocket is located at the intersection of Andersen Drive and Francisco Boulevard West, which serves as a feeder to a southbound US -101 on-ramp. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) volumes on Andersen Drive, which were collected in 2008, indicate over 15,000 vehicular trips north of Francisco Boulevard West, and over 24,000 trips south of Francisco Boulevard West. Andersen Drive is a major bicycle commute route featuring Class II bike lanes in both directions and a wide sidewalk on the west side of the road. The Class II bike lanes provide non -motorized access between Downtown San Rafael and the Larkspur Ferry Terminal via the recently constructed bridge over Auburn Street and the Cal Park Hill Tunnel. Status of SMART Rail Service to Larkspur Landing (Phase 2) SMART is in the process of designing and constructing the 42.5 mile Initial Operating Segment of its commuter rail service, which features a northern terminal station at Airport Boulevard in Windsor, and a southern terminal station between 3rd and 4th Streets in Downtown San Rafael. The Downtown San Rafael Station will serve as a temporary terminal station until the agency implements the southern extension of its commuter rail service to Larkspur Landing (Phase 2). Concurrent with these design and construction activities, SMART has sought both regional and federal funds for the completion of extension to Larkspur Landing. In response to SMART's pursuit of new funding sources, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has granted SMART $20 million in Regional Measure 2 funds, and has endorsed SMART's pursuit of an additional $20 million in federal funds with applications pending. With additional funds, SMART's plans to bring regularly scheduled rail service through Andersen Drive will occur soon after construction of the Initial Operating Segment, scheduled to open in late 2016. SMART's proposed Larkspur Extension would bring thirty trains through Andersen Drive on a daily basis, with the majority of the trips made during San Rafael's peak commute hours between 7 to 9 am and 4 to 6 pm. SMART/Andersen Drive Rail Crossing Alternatives In preparation for extending the SMART rail service to Larkspur Landing, the City of San Rafael identified and studied the following six alternatives to accommodate a rail service crossing at Andersen Drive: 1. Grade Separated Crossing 2. At -Grade Crossing with Chicane 3. Closure of Andersen Drive 4. One -Way Southbound By-pass via Woodland Avenue 5. Two -Way By-pass via Woodland Avenue 6. At -Grade Crossing with Additional Storage Capacity SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 3 Each alternative was evaluated in five categories: traffic Impacts; cost; feasibility; safety; and timing (schedule for readiness). The analysis concluded that the City should pursue Alternative 6, At -Grade Crossing with additional Storage Capacity. This alternative will provide a safe, relatively low cost crossing while also providing minimal impact to the surrounding roadway network. This alternative also fits within the City's existing budget, is feasible, and can be constructed within the given timeline for rail service operations. This alternative involves the construction of an at -grade crossing of Andersen Drive and SMART's tracks in a configuration that retains the existing 11 degree roadway and track geometry. This alternative is depicted in the following figure: i ykV WOODLANDAVE j (a 4.. A more detailed plan of this at -grade crossing is presented in Attachment 3 of this report. Phase 2 SMART Improvements at Francisco Blvd W @ Irwin Street The City and SMART are also reviewing the possibility to "flip" the locations of SMART's double track alignment and Francisco Boulevard West between 2nd Street and Rice Drive. This change in roadway and rail alignment will result in the elimination of the two -at grade crossings; one across Francisco Boulevard West and one across Irwin Street. Francisco Boulevard West will continue along the west side of the tracks, south of Second Street until it terminates in a "T" intersection at Rice Drive. The grade crossing across Rice Drive is proposed to be constructed in its existing configuration. A multi -use path is proposed on the west side of the new Francisco Boulevard West alignment between Rice and Second Street. Additional right-of-way takes may be required to accommodate this design option, the locations and sizes of which have yet to be determined. SMART Multi -Use Path Study The Phase 2 SMART extension plans do not include a multi -use (MUP) path. Nonetheless, the County of Marin and the City have agreed to work on a study of the MUP issue from Second Street to Andersen Drive. It is anticipated that the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) will consider funding this study at its May 2015 Board of Directors meeting. This study will take some time and a consultant will be hired to conduct the study following the completion of a scope of work by the Public Works Department. Environmental (CEQA) Review Required The CPUC and City permits/approvals required to permit the Andersen Drive At -Grade SMART crossing are subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. As the City is responsible for approving and securing CPUC approvals of this crossing, the City will take the lead in preparing the environmental document to comply with the CEQA Guidelines. SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 4 The environmental document will need to assess the physical, environmental effects of the project, specifically the Andersen Drive at -grade crossing with the SMART rail line. Based on the nature and scope of the project, as well as the site and area characteristics, expected topic areas of study will include, among others: biological resources; air quality, noise and vibration; and transportation and traffic. The environmental document will also describe and present the analysis of the six crossing alternatives prepared by the Public Works Department. It is also recommended that this document assess the physical environmental effects of the Phase 2 SMART improvements at Francisco Boulevard West and Irwin Street. As a separate study is being conducted on the MUP, which involves the participation of the County of Marin, TAM and the City, it is not included in the scope of this environmental document. Need for Environmental Consultant Services Given the complexity of issues, it is prudent for the City to hire a qualified consultant to prepare the appropriate environmental document for this project. As SMART commissioned AECOM, environmental consultants to prepare a NEPA required Environmental Assessment for federal review and funding of Phase 2, it was logical to consult with AECOM to prepare the environmental document for the crossing project. AECOM is most familiar with and has studied the environmental issues for SMART Phase 2 and many of the studies conducted for the NEPA Environmental Assessment can be used or expanded on to assess the crossing project. AECOM has prepared a proposal for services, which is summarized in a letter to the Community Development Department dated March 6, 2015. This proposal for services letter is provided in Attachment 2, Exhibit A. In summary, the proposal for services presents the following scope: ➢ Completion of an Initial Study as required by CEQA. The Initial Study would utilize existing resources and studies, including the recently -prepared NEPA Environmental Assessment. ➢ Additional technical study in the topic areas of air quality, biological resources, noise and vibration, and transportation and traffic. ➢ The scope anticipates a finding to support a Mitigated Negative Declaration, meaning mitigation measures will likely be recommended to reduce potential, significant environmental impacts to less -than -significant levels. ➢ The scope includes participation during the public process for review of the environmental document, including a budget for responding to public comments. ➢ A schedule has been prepared estimating a four -five month process following execution of a Professional Services Agreement. The schedule includes the CEQA-required 30 -day public review period for the environmental document. ➢ The consultant cost for this service is $109,289.00. This cost includes consultant attendance at key meetings and public hearings. ANALYSIS: Given AECOM's familiarity with and being the environmental consultant for the SMART Phase 2 project, it is logical and prudent to select this firm to complete the environmental document for this project. A Professional Services Agreement (PSA) for AECOM's service has been prepared and is provided in Attachment 2 of this report, along with the proposal for services (Exhibit A). AECOM has reviewed and confirmed the terms and conditions of the agreement include the insurance requirements. PUBLIC OUTREACH AND NOTICING: Notice of this proposal to enter into a Professional Services Agreement was posted in Snapshot. SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 5 OPTIONS: The City Council has the following options: 1. Adopt the resolution, as proposed; 2. Reject the proposal for services and direct staff to revise the scope of work for analysis; or 3. Direct staff to consider proposals for service from other environmental consultants. FISCAL IMPACT: The expense would have no impact on the City's general fund. The cost for the consultant services would be covered by use of a portion of the $2,100,000 bond proceeds from the former San Rafael Redevelopment Agency. These funds have been released to the Successor Agency pursuant to the Finding of Completion from the State of California. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Draft Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement 2. Agreement for Professional Services with AECOM including Exhibit A, Scope of Work 3. Graphic of Andersen Drive + SMART At -Grade Crossing