CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY Request for Council Action Meeting Date: May 7, 2013 Department Director Approval: Check all that apply: consent old business new business public hearing information admin. report pending legislation executive session AGENDA ITEM TITLE: Bridging the Valley Update GOVERNING LEGISLATION: PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: Adoption of the annual Six Year Transportation Improvement Programs which have included Bridging the Valley projects within Spokane Valley; Approved the submittal of several grant applications for the Baker Road Overpass project. BACKGROUND: Staff will give an overview of the background and current status of the Bridging the Valley Project and specific projects within Spokane Valley. OPTIONS: Discussion only. RECOMMENDED ACTION OR MOTION: Discussion only. BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACTS: N/A STAFF CONTACT: Steve M. Worley, P.E. Senior Capital Projects Engineer ATTACHMENTS: Bridging the Valley Status Report (January 28, 2004, SRTC); PowerPoint slide presentation.
Bridging the Valley Update CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 7, 2013
Location Map 2 Proposed Grade Separation Exist. Grade Separation Proposed At-Grade Closing
Spokane Valley Projects 3 Three Grade Separation Projects: Park Road Overpass Pines Road Underpass Barker Road Overpass Three At-Grade Closures Vista Road University Road Flora Road Two Exist Grade Separation Improvements Argonne Road Underpass (Railroad only) Sullivan Road Overpass
30% Design Complete Environmental Approved RW Ready to Begin Current Design Status 4
Park Road Overpass 5
Pines Road Underpass 6
Sullivan Road Improvements 7
Barker Road Overpass 8
Wellesley Road Realignment (Barker) 9
Funding Entire Project $4.23 million spent for P.E. (SRTC) State of Idaho matched $800,000 Anticipated to be mostly Federally funded pending new authorization bill Bi-state Congressional support $17 million over 7 years needed in non-federal matching funds. 10
Current Funding Individual Projects Barker Road Overpass $10 million (FMSIB) Pines Road Underpass $0 (was WSDOT project) Park Road Overpass $5 million (FMSIB) ($2 million returned to TIB) Sullivan Road - $0 Barker estimates (2009) PE $2.96 million RW $1.59 million 11
Current Issues/Concerns BNSF/UPRR Disagreement Condition of UPRR tracks Lack of federal funding Regional Support for BTV? Increased Coal Trains? GSI Federal Legislative Agenda List 12
Questions? 13
Status Report January 28, 2004
How did it all begin? Where: Argonne Road When: 1997 Problem: Congestion and Safety 70 daily trains 25,000 vehicles per day
How did it all begin? Solution: Underpass Tracks raised 4 feet Argonne Road lowered 22 feet Bridge constructed to carry train traffic over Argonne Road Response: Let s do this everywhere!
The Valley and Rathdrum Prairie Today Sunset Junction Legend Grade Crossing
2001 - Bridging The Valley Transportation Study Improve safety Reduce congestion Virtually eliminate whistle noise Improve air quality Maintain service to existing rail customers Enhance economic development Develop a long-range, low-cost solution
2001 - Bridging The Valley Transportation Study Recommendation: Make strategic investments now to avoid more costly investments in the future. Combine the BNSF and UPRR railroad lines into one rail corridor. Make highway road improvements to grade separate or eliminate all grade crossings on the selected railroad.
What will the project entail? The Bridging the Valley project will separate vehicle traffic from train traffic in the 42 mile corridor between Spokane, Washington and Athol, Idaho. The separation of railroad and roadway grades in this corridor which currently includes 75 railroad/roadway crossings will promote future economic growth, traffic mobility, traffic safety, and train whistle noise abatement.
Which Grade Crossings? Roadway Underpasses: Highway 54 (BNSF) Brunner Road Downtown Rathdrum Idaho Road Harvard Road Pines Road Park Road Existing Grade Separations: Hwy 41/53 Greensferry Road Starr Road Sullivan Road Argonne Road Napa Street Madelia Street Helena Street Roadway Overpasses: Ramsey Road Pleasantview Road Barker Road Havana Street Removed: BNSF Highway 54 McGuire Road Prairie Road McKenzie Road Flora Road Evergreen Road University Road Vista Road UPRR 59 Crossings
Who are the Project Participants? State Agencies and Legislators: Idaho Transportation Department Washington State Department of Transportation State of Washington Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board Washington Utility and Transportation Commission State and Federal Legislators Regional Agencies: Spokane Regional Transportation Council Spokane Transit Authority Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization(KMPO) Local Agencies and Districts: Kootenai County Spokane County City of Athol The Town of Millwood City of Rathdrum City of Spokane City of Spokane Valley Area Fire Districts / EMS Area School Districts Business Organizations: Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce Railroads: Burlington Northern Santa Fe Union Pacific
What will the project accomplish? Construct 11 and rebuild 8 grade separations Improve public safety by reducing rail / vehicle collisions Improve emergency access to resident and businesses along the corridor
What will the project accomplish? Eliminate waiting times for cars and trucks at rail crossings; Reduce noise levels no more train whistle near crossings;
What will the project accomplish? Improve traffic flow due to separated grade crossing
What will the project accomplish? Enhance development opportunities with a single rail corridor served by the region s largest railroads.
What are the proposed improvements? Construct approximately 19 separated grade crossings within the BNSF corridor Construct additional track capacity on BNSF corridor Install improvements to existing Centralized Traffic Control signaling system Construct a new two-track bridge over the Spokane River Construct a new UPRR Yard Provide other track improvements in yards and connections Remove a majority of the UPRR mainline and associated crossings.
Nov-04 Oct-04 Sep-04 Aug-04 Status thru December 2003 Status thru December 2003 PROJECT MANAGEMENT Jul-04 Jun-04 May-04 Apr-04 Mar-04 Feb-04 Jan-04 Dec-03 Nov-03 Oct-03 Sep-03 Aug-03 Jul-03 Jun-03 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%
Nov-04 Status thru December 2003 Status thru December 2003 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT Oct-04 Sep-04 Aug-04 Jul-04 Jun-04 May-04 Apr-04 Mar-04 Feb-04 Jan-04 Dec-03 Nov-03 Oct-03 Sep-03 Aug-03 Jul-03 Jun-03 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Web Site Project Brochures Information Line Informational Briefings
Status thru December 2003 100% ENVIRONMENTAL 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Initial Environmental Evaluation Cultural Resources: Archeological Historical Tribal Consultation Agency Contacts: WSDOT ITD SHPO WA/ID FHWA WA Nov-04 Oct-04 Sep-04 Aug-04 Jul-04 Jun-04 May-04 Apr-04 Mar-04 Feb-04 Jan-04 Dec-03 Nov-03 Oct-03 Sep-03 Aug-03 Jul-03 Jun-03
Nov-04 Oct-04 Status thru December 2003 Status thru December 2003 TRACK 50% Plans Sep-04 Aug-04 Jul-04 Jun-04 May-04 Apr-04 Mar-04 Feb-04 Jan-04 Dec-03 Nov-03 Oct-03 Sep-03 Aug-03 Jul-03 Jun-03 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%
Status thru December 2003 Status thru December 2003 CIVIL/ROADWAY Nov-04 Oct-04 Sep-04 Aug-04 Jul-04 Jun-04 May-04 Apr-04 Mar-04 Feb-04 Jan-04 Dec-03 Nov-03 Oct-03 Sep-03 Aug-03 Jul-03 Jun-03 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Aerial Mapping Geotechnical Utility Research 20 - Type Size & Location Studies 10% Plans
Status thru December 2003 Status thru December 2003 STRUCTURES 20 - Type Size & Location Studies 10% Plans Nov-04 Oct-04 Sep-04 Aug-04 Jul-04 Jun-04 May-04 Apr-04 Mar-04 Feb-04 Jan-04 Dec-03 Nov-03 Oct-03 Sep-03 Aug-03 Jul-03 Jun-03 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%
January 2004 Open Houses Washington focus: Park Road Pines Road Barker Road Harvard Road Idaho Road Havana Street Idaho focus: Pleasant View Road Main Street Ramsey Road Brunner Road Highway 54
Work To Be Completed Public Involvement Continued, including two more Open Houses Environmental Documentation and Permitting Historic resources investigation Biological technical report Environmental Justice Environmental Evaluation Agency Contact Technical Studies Permitting Rail Design Complete 60% Track Design Plans Cost Estimate Preliminary Bridge Engineering Complete 30% Bridge Plans Civil Design Complete 30% Bridge Plans
How Much Will It Cost? From 1998 to 2001, initial design concept and scope developed to estimate project costs and benefits In 2001, consultant team provided planning level cost estimate of approximately $270 million to construct 42-mile project. This included: Cost to construct eleven and modify another eight existing grade separations Move Union Pacific main-line operations into the BNSF corridor, which requires: a. Development of three main-line tracks in the BNSF corridor b. Construction of new UP train yard c. Construction of new double track railroad bridge over Spokane River adjacent to existing single-track bridge
Who Is Paying For It? Since 2001, preliminary engineering, design and environmental evaluation conducted Paid for with $4.2 million in Federal Highway Administration Surface Transportation Program funds and matching Idaho Department of Transportation funds. Current effort will sufficiently develop project to update and refine cost estimates based on 30% design level of improvements. When current effort completed, cost estimates will be updated
What Is The Construction Schedule? Multi-year project dependent on successfully competing for transportation funding at state and national level. Grant programs and annual appropriations Current request to include project in upcoming federal transportation re-authorization of TEA-21. If additional funding becomes available in 2004-2005: Project would move directly into final design With earliest construction beginning in 2006
Want more information? Periodic Informational Meetings
Questions & Answers