Marcus Hook Grade Crossing Study July 2019
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MARCUS HOOK GRADE CROSSING STUDY JULY 2019 I James Anthony dDELAWARE VALLEY DVRPC's vision for the Greater Philadelphia Region is a prosperous, innovative, equitable, resilient, and t'J ... ,~rpc sustainable region that increases mobility choices PLANNING COMMISSION by investing in a safe and modern transportation system; that protects and preserves our natural resources while creating healthy communities; and that fosters greater MD opportunities for all. • Baltimore DE DVRPC's mission is to achieve this vision by convening the widest array of partners to inform and facilitate data-driven decision-making. We are engaged The Delaware across the region, and strive to be leaders and innovators, exploring new ideas and creating best practices. Valley Regional Planning Commission TITLE VI COMPLIANCE I DVRPC fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 7964, the Civil Rights is the federally designated Restoration Act of 7987, Executive Order 72898 on Environmental Justice, and related nondiscrimination statutes Metropolitan Planning and regulations in all programs and activities. DVRPC's website, www.dvrpc.org, may be translated into multiple Organization for a diverse languages. Publications and other public documents can be made available in alternative languages and formats, if requested. DVRPC public meetings are always held in ADA-accessible facilities, and in transit-accessible nine-county region in two locations when possible. Auxiliary services can be provided to individuals who submit a request at least seven days states: Bucks, Chester, prior to a public meeting. Requests will be accommodated to the greatest extent possible. Any person who believes Delaware, Montgomery, they have been aggrieved by an unlawful discriminatory practice by DVRPC under Title VI has a right to file a formal complaint. Any such complaint may be in writing and filed with DVRPC's Title VI Compliance Manager and Philadelphia in and/or the appropriate state or federal agency within 780 days of the alleged discriminatory occurrence. Pennsylvania; and For more information on DVRPC's Title VI program or to obtain a Title VI Complaint Form, please visit: Burlington, Camden, www.dvrpc.org/GetlnvolvedlTitleVI, call (275) 592-7800, or email [email protected]. Gloucester, and Mercer in DVRPC is funded through a variety of funding sources including federal grants from the U.S. Department New Jersey. of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Pennsylvania and New Jersey departments of transportation, as well as by DVRPC's state and local member governments. The authors, however, are solely responsible for the findings and conclusions herein, which may not represent the official views or policies of the funding agencies. Table of Contents CHAPTER 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................... 1 Steering Committee ....................................................................................................................................... 2 Report Organization ....................................................................................................................................... 3 CHAPTER 2 Existing Conditions and Background ................................................................................................................... 5 Marcus Hook Borough ................................................................................................................................... 5 Highways and Streets .................................................................................................................................... 9 Railroad Activity ........................................................................................................................................... 14 CHAPTER 3 Improvement Recommendations ...................................................................................................................... 23 Short-term Improvements ........................................................................................................................... 23 Medium-term Improvements ...................................................................................................................... 26 Ongoing Coordination .................................................................................................................................. 28 Community Based Improvements .............................................................................................................. 28 Evaluation of Alternative Measures ............................................................................................................ 29 CHAPTER 4 Next Steps ........................................................................................................................................................... 33 Figures and Tables Figure 1: Land Use in Marcus Hook, PA ..................................................................................................................... 6 Figure 2: Land Use Composition of Marcus Hook, PA ............................................................................................... 7 Figure 3: Highways and Streets ................................................................................................................................ 10 Figure 4: 24-hour Profile of Vehicular Traffic on Green Street (both directions) .................................................. 11 Figure 5: 24-hour Profile of Vehicular Traffic on Market Street (both directions) .................................................. 12 Figure 6: 24-hour Profile of Vehicular Traffic on Fourth Street (both directions) .................................................. 13 Figure 7: Rail Transportation System ....................................................................................................................... 15 Figure 8: Green Street Existing Warning Devices and Safety Measures ................................................................ 19 Figure 9: Maiden Lane Existing Warning Devices and Safety Measures ............................................................... 20 Figure 10: Market Street Existing Warning Devices and Safety Measures ............................................................ 21 Figure 11: Short-term Improvements (Passive Control Measures) ......................................................................... 25 Figure 12: Active Warning Device Assembly ............................................................................................................ 26 Figure 13: Location and Direction of Active Control Devices .................................................................................. 27 Table 1: Summary of Vehicular Counts ...................................................................................................................... 9 CHAPTER 1 Introduction At the request of the Delaware County Planning Department, the Marcus Hook Grade Crossing Study was undertaken by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission’s (DVRPC) Office of Freight and Aviation Planning during Fiscal Year 2018. The primary tasks associated with this study were to document existing transportation operations and conditions at three inter-connected highway-railroad grade crossings located in Marcus Hook Borough, Delaware County, Pennsylvania and then, using available data and a review of best practices, to explore potential and appropriate improvements and options for the grade crossings. Marcus Hook Borough is a very diverse community, made up of mature residential neighborhoods, a central business district, a massive industrial center (the Marcus Hook Industrial Complex), two rail lines (one freight line, the Conrail Chester Secondary, and one passenger line, the Amtrak Northeast Corridor/SEPTA Wilmington line), and an active marine terminal and public open space along the Delaware River. Given this wide variety of land uses and activities, the intent of the study was to identify the kinds of improvements which would balance the operation of freight trains serving the industrial center with the concerns and preferences of the community at the point where they converge at the three public grade crossings, where conflicts may occur (e.g., blocked traffic lanes). The following grade crossings along Fourth Street in Marcus Hook, which are in close proximity to each ••• •4 other, were the primary focus of this study (U.S. DOT grade crossing numbers are shown in parentheses): • • • • • , Green Street (#592835V) • • Maiden Lane (#592837J) Market Street (#592836C) --- _,_. 1 A major attribute, that is inherently complex, and highly non-conventional is that the rail line which traverses the three crossings, Conrail’s Chester Industrial Track, essentially runs down the middle of Fourth Street, from Market Street to Green Street, a distance of approximately a tenth of a mile. Steering Committee A specially organized steering committee was an important element of this study effort. The steering committee met at three strategic times during the course of the study at the Marcus Hook Municipal Building and provided expertise, guidance, and The Chester Industrial Track runs down the cartway of Fourth recommendations. Steering committee members Street, shown above facing north toward Market Street. Source: