CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
Memo Date: May 14, 2024
Agenda Date: May 28, 2024
Prepared By: Frank Mirabito, Streets & Stormwater Manager
Through: Abigail Morgan, P.E. - Public Works Director/City Engineer
Requested Action:
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Council approval to apply for a Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) grant from the Federal Railroad Administration in conjunction with the Space Coast Transportation Planning Office (SCTPO) in the amount of $705,000 for Safety Improvements to the Crossing at W. Highland Drive. Approve the Resolution. Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Grant Application.
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BACKGROUND:
Selected crossings within Brevard County are eligible for additional safety improvements under Federal Railroad Administration grant funding. The notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is anticipated in late May 2024.
The SCTPO consultants are working to complete a matrix summarizing safety enhancements for the nine RR crossing locations south of SR 528 and cost estimates for construction and maintenance. The SCTPO has requested that each agency will need to take the recommended enhancements to their respective council/board to obtain permission to utilize local funds needed to satisfy match requirements for the Rail Crossing Elimination Grant that we are anticipating submitting later this summer pending NOFO release.
The City of Cocoa has the following six crossings with the relevant maintenance party:
1) Michigan Avenue - Brevard County
2) Dixon Boulevard - Brevard County
3) W. Highland Drive - City of Cocoa
4) Peachtree Street - City of Cocoa
5) King Street (S.R. 520) - Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)
6) Rosa L. Jones Drive - City of Cocoa
Of these six crossings, Peachtree Street, King Street, and Rosa L. Jones Drive are up to date with the most current safety crossing regulations.
Brevard County Staff is currently reviewing safety enhancements at Michigan Avenue and Dixon Boulevard. A recommendation for specific safety enhancements at these two crossings will be made in the coming weeks.
City Staff is recommending the 4 Quadrant Gate System at W. Highland Drive at a cost of $705,000, as highlighted in the table below. The local match is anticipated to be 20% or $141,000. These improvements will seal the rail corridor in Brevard County. If the grant is awarded, staff will prepare an agenda item to accept the grant and put the budget in place.
STRATEGIC PLAN CONNECTION:
Upgrading this railroad crossing will increase public safety for the railroad and the travelling public.
BUDGETARY IMPACT:
Budgeted No
If not budgeted, is amendment/transfer attached? No
Budget will be provided upon budget award.
PREVIOUS ACTION:
N/A
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Recommendation
Council approval to apply for a Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) grant from the Federal Railroad Administration in conjunction with the Space Coast Transportation Planning Office (SCTPO) in the amount of $705,000 for Safety Improvements to the Crossing at W. Highland Drive. Approve the Resolution. Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Grant Application.