Report Prepared by: Steven C. Son, Deputy Public Works Director/Interim City Engineer, Engineering Division
Title
SUBJECT: Railroad Quiet Zone Feasibility Study and Establishment within City Limits
REPORT IN BRIEF
Staff provides the status of the Request for Proposal for the Railroad Quiet Zone Feasibility Study and Establishment and requests City Council to provide additional direction.
RECOMMENDATION
Provide Staff with further direction regarding the Railroad Quiet Zone Feasibility Study.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Direct Staff to proceed with one of the Statement of Qualifications.
2. Direct Staff to negotiate a fee with reduced scope.
3. Reject all proposals.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Council has requested Staff to solicit a consultant to conduct a study to investigate the possibility of a railroad quiet zone within City limits.
DISCUSSION
Under the Code of Federal Regulation 49 CFR Part 222, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) requires all train engineers to utilize their locomotive horns at road crossings, when workers are present or near the tracks, and at any time it deem necessary. With both Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway traversing through the City, at times the amount of noise can be excessive. For this reason, the Council expressed an interest in establishing a railroad quiet zone within City limits.
Staff prepared a statement of qualification (SOQ) to solicit proposals for Professional Service for Railroad Quiet Zone Feasibility Study and Establishment. The scope of work was broken down into two (2) phases. The first phase was to conduct preliminary investigation/risk index update and review, coordinate with governing entities and conduct diagnostic meeting, and form a quiet zone cost calculation analysis. The second phase of the project was to establish the quiet zone.
On April 20, 2018, Staff received two (2) proposals with a cost proposa...
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