HomeMy WebLinkAboutOB 1a PED XING R.R. 08-17-81DATE: JULY 27, 1981
TO:
FROM:
S UBJ ECT:
8-3-81 (Continued to
3
Inter-Corn
CHARLES THAYER, INTERIM CITY MANAGER
BOB LEDENDECKER, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC ~O~KS/CITY f~GINEER
SYCAMORE AVENUE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AT ~{E A.T. & S.F. RAILROAD TRACKS
( VESTA SPUR)
~TION:
That the City request the aide of the special agents of the A.T. & S.F. Railroad to
help decrease the vandalism within the railroad right-of-way and for the City to
continue a routine ~eed abatement program in this area.
BACKGROtmD:
At the request of Mr. George Speicher of 14711 Alder Lane, the City Council requested
staff to review the existing pedestrian crossing at Sycamore Avenue across the A.T. &
S.F Railroad Track (Venta Spur). Mr. Speid~er's specific uu~laints were:
1. Activation of bell warning system of the automatic protective devices by
vandals.
2. General vandalism of'the surrounding area resulting from the installation of
the pedestrian crossing.
3. Unsightliness of the railroad and flood channel right-of-ways as viewed frcm
the Pepper Tree homes side of the crosssing.
4. Weeds within the railroad right-of-way and their potential fire hazard.
The following is a brief recap of events regarding the history of this pedestrian
crossing:
In November, 1974, the City Council authorized staff to proceed with the
application to the A.T. & S.F. Railroad and the Public Utilities C~m'~,ission
(P.U.C.) for the installation of said crossing.
b. Staff processed applications to both the railroad and the P.U.C. in
December, 1975.
c. In May, 1976, the P.U.C. approved City's application.
d. A.T. & S.F. Railroad executed all agreements for said crossing in February,
1977.
SYCAMORE AVENUE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING
AT THE A.T. & S.F. RAILROAD TRACKS
JULY 27, 1981
PAGE 2
e. Council awarded bid for said pedestrian crossing construction in July,
1979.
Council authorized the posting of '~No Loitering" signs and the installation
of barriers across the sidewalks to help reduce the high speed
motorcycle/moped traffic.
Staff has made contact with The Irvine Company (TIC), the A.T. & S.F. Railroad and
the P.U.C. to determine the life span of the Venta Spur and if any other types of
warning systems would be acceptable. TIC has indicated that there is no specified
tim~ as to when the use of the tracks would be discontinued for shipping oranges frcm
the 'packing plant in the vicinity of Sand Canyon or Jeffrey Roads. The packing plant
is located in TIC's Village 13 plan, but there are no target dates for development of
this village. The rail useage will continue indefinitely until such time trucking
becomes more econc~ical. The A.T. & S.F. Railroad referred staff to the P.U.C. for
any determinations regarding the protective warning system. The P.U.C. was asked as
to whether any other type of warning systems were acceptable for this low train
volume pedestrian crossing, such as a strobe-type light in lieu of the bell system.
P.U.C. 's response was as follows:
1. The P.U.C. General Orders require a bell-type warnng system for this kind of
crossing.
2. Strobe-type lights have been used in the past on an experimental basis.
They have been found to be unacceptable and are being removed.
3. The iow frequency of trains on a randc~ schedule is all the more reason for
the bell-type warning system.
P.U.C. felt that both the railroad and the City could be held liable if the
bell-type warning systems were to be removed and an injury or death resulted
as a cause of a train striking an individual.
The P.U.C. sUggested that the Police Department contact the special agents of the
A.T. & S.F. Railroad (railroad police) and request their aide for any vandalism
regarding the railroad such as short-circuiting the bell system.
Mr. Speicher suggested the installation of shrubs or plants along the Peppertree Home
side of the wrought iron fence at Sycamore Avenue. Staff has estimated the cost of
this work as follows:
SYCAMDRE AVENUE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING
AT THE A.T. & S.F. RAILROAD TRACKS
JULY 27, 1981
PAGE 3
Removal of street pavement and rock base ..... $ 930.00
Import of plant material .............. 420.00
Landscaping ................... 290.00
Irrigation System ................ 1,040.00
$2,680.00
10% Contingency 268.00
TOTAL ESTIMA'.I.',~3 COST $2,948.00
Staff feels that the placement of shrubs adjacent to the wrought iron fence would
ultimately screen the railroad and flood d~annel right-of-way, but would also create
a more secluded area for vandalism. Therefore, staff does not rec~,.~-end the
installation of landscaping adjacent to the fencing.
It is my understanding that the weeds within the railroad right-of-way had been
removed sc~etime after Mr. Speicher had expressed his concerns on July 6th. However,
this is an ongoing problem and the railroad will be contacted on a routine basis to
abate any weeds.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC ~I)I~KS/
db
cc George Speioher