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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1991 0417 CC REG ITEM 08JPAUL W. LAWRASON JR. Mayor BERNARDO M.PEREZ Mayor Pro Tern SCOTT MONTGOMERY Councilmember JOHN E. WOZNIAK Councilmember LILLIAN KELLERMAN City Clerk TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: MOORPARK wORPARK, CALIFORNIA City Council Meeting of ACTION: M E M O R A N D U M The Honorable City Council ITEM STEVEN KUENY City Manager CHERYL J. KANE City Attorney PATRICK RICHARDS, A.I.C.P. Director of Community Development JOHN F. KNIPE City Engineer JOHN V. GILLESPIE Chief of Police RICHARD T. HARE City Treasurer Kenneth C. Gilbert, Director of Public Works April 9, 1991 Railraod Crossing on Highway 118 East of the City VEN -118 -14.08 BACKGROUND Last November, in response to Council concerns, the Mayor sent a letter (Attachment "A") to Caltrans expressing certain concerns regarding safety at the railroad crossing west of the City. A response (Attachment "B") was received on March 20. This is to request direction in pursuing further steps toward affecting safety improvements at this rail crossing. DISCUSSION The response from Caltrans indicates that this portion of the highway has been studied and that improvements at this railroad crossing was one of several possible improvements suggested. The response goes on to say that implementation of those suggested improvements would require many steps, including funding approval via a process managed by the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC). It appears that further efforts to make safety improvements at this rail crossing, will require the action of the County of Ventura and VCTC. Should the City council wish to pursue this matter, it is recommended that a letter be forwarded to Supervisor Howard to express the City's concern and willingness to cooperate on this matter. 799 Moorpark Avenue Moorpark, California 93021 (805) 529 -6864 Railroad Crossing on Highway 118 East of the City Page 2 Authorize the Mayor to send a letter to Supervisor Howard expressing the City's concern about traffic safety at the subject Rail crossing and offering the City's cooperation in efforts necessary to make appropriate safety improvements. cc: Steven Kueny, City Manager Department Heads BERNARDO M.PEREZ Mayor SCOTT MONTGOMERY Mayor Pro Tem ELOISE BROWN Councilmember CLINT HARPER, Ph.D. Councilmember PAUL W. LAWRASON, Jr. Councilmember LILLIAN KELLERMAN City Clerk November 26, 1990 MOORPARK m<V\' p State of California Department of Transportation 120 S. Spring Street Los Angeles, Ca 90012 Att: Jerry Baxter, Director Re: Safety Problem at Railway Crossing Route 118 (P. M. 14.40 +) Dear Mr. Baxter, STEVEN KUENY City Manager CHERYL J. KANE City Attorney PATRICK RICHARDS, A.I.C.P. Director of Community Development R. DENNIS DELZEIT City Engineer JOHN V. GILLESPIE Chief of Police RICHARD T HARE City Treasurer The railroad grade crossing just west of the City has a very bad traffic accident history. Recently another fatal accident at that location, prompted the City Council to direct our staff to contact the State and County to discuss possible remedies. It appears from those discussions that this request should be directed to Mr. Gary Bork of your Traffic Operations Division, but I am routing the request through your office to advise you of our concerns. I am advised that most of the accidents at this railway crossing are not the result of conflicts with trains. The cause appears to be related to vehicular speeds in excess of the design limits of the roadway. The purpose of this letter is to request that the geometrics of the existing roadway be reviewed and that the feasibility of possible design changes be evaluated and considered. Your prompt attention in this matter will be appreciated. Please direct any questions to Kenneth Gilbert., Director of Public Works. You-r6 Truly, ,.-�_ Paul W. wrason, Jr. Mayor cc: City Council City Manager Director of Public works Vicky Howard, Supervisor - Elect, County of Ventura Al Knuth, Deputy Director of Public Works, County of Ventura 799 Moorpark Avenue Moorpark California 93021 (805) 529 -6864 STATE OF CALIFORNIA— BUSINESS AND TRANSPORTATION AGENCY PETE WILSON, Governor DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION -Kli C 1A 10ZU7 \ ¢ DISTRICT 7, 120 SO. SPRING ST. s< LOS ANGELES, CA 90012 TDD (213) 620 -3550 (213) 620 -3874 March 20, 1991 7 -VEN -118 14.08 Ternes Railroad Crossing Honorable Paul W. Lawrason, Jr. Mayor, City of Moorpark 799 Moorpark Avenue Moorpark, CA 93021 Dear Mayor Lawrason: As you requested, we have reviewed the geometries of State Route 118 at the Ternes Railroad Crossing relative to the overall vehicular safety at this location. This Railroad Crossing is within the study limits of a Project Study Report (PSR) prepared by Caltrans, dated January 10, 1991. The PSR recommended widening and realigning portions of SR 118 between Route 232 and Route 23. One item in particular is the proposed improvement of the roadway alignment at the Ternes Railroad Crossing. A grade separation structure was also proposed as an alternative. Either alternative would enhance the operation and safety of the crossing. However, programming and implementation of this improvement is subject to Ventura County Transportation Commission prioritization and availability of funds. The primary attributing factor to the cause of accidents at this location is driving in excess of the posted regulatory and warning speed limits appropriate for the existing roadway conditions. We believe that the recently completed asphalt concrete overlay project at this location would improve the vertical alignment relative to the railroad tracks. In the interim period prior to future modification of this crossing, we have contacted the Southern Pacific Transportation Company regarding the maintenance of the pavement within the RECEIVED NEAR 2 2 1991 N Honorable Paul W. Lawrason, Jr. March 20, 1991 Page 2 railroad right -of -way. We were assured that regular maintenance will be performed within and adjacent to the railroad tracks to orovide the best available riding surface at this crossing. Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. Sincerely, %U �J JERRY B. BAXTER District Director