Union City Blvd./UPRR Grade Separation April 2006 FEASIBILITY STUDY REPORT UNION CITY BOULEVARD / UPRR GRADE SEPARATION DRAFT CITY OF UNION CITY in Alameda County Proposed Underpass Simulation April 2006 Prepared By: Mark Thomas & Company, Inc. Union City Blvd./UPRR Grade Separation April 2006 This Feasibility Study Report has been prepared under the direction of the following registered civil engineer. The registered civil engineer attests to the technical information contained herein and the engineering data upon which recommendations, conclusions, and decisions are based. _________________________________________ _______________________ REGISTERED CIVIL ENGINEER DATE Jimmy W. Sims, PE Mark Thomas & Company, Inc. 1960 Zanker Road San Jose, CA 95112 Union City Blvd./UPRR Grade Separation April 2006 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................... 2 2. PROJECT BACKGROUND .................................................................................... 4 A. PROJECT HISTORY ................................................................................................. 4 B. COMMUNITY INTERACTION ................................................................................... 4 3. TRAFFIC ................................................................................................................... 4 4. ALTERNATIVES ..................................................................................................... 5 A. EXISTING FACILITY ................................................................................................ 5 B. DESIGN CRITERIA AND STANDARD ........................................................................ 5 C. ALTERNATIVES ....................................................................................................... 5 D. NON-MOTORIZED AND PEDESTRIAN FEATURES ................................................... 8 E. COST ESTIMATES ................................................................................................... 9 5. RIGHT OF WAY ...................................................................................................... 9 6. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ............................................................................... 11 7. RAILROAD ............................................................................................................. 11 8. STAGE CONSTRUCTION / TRAFFIC DETOUR ............................................ 11 9. UTILITIES .............................................................................................................. 12 10. DRAINAGE ......................................................................................................... 14 11. PERMITS / REVIEWS ...................................................................................... 14 12. RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................................... 14 13. LIST OF ATTACHMENTS .............................................................................. 15 Page 1 4/17/2006 Union City Blvd./UPRR Grade Separation April 2006 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction The City of Union City (City) has retained Mark Thomas & Company (MTCo) to evaluate the feasibility of grade separating Union City Boulevard at the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) tracks between Whipple Road and Bettencourt Way. This feasibility study report will evaluate both overhead and underpass alternatives. Alternatives discussed in this report include the following: Alternative I - Underpass (35 MPH with railroad shoofly) Alternative II - Underpass (35 MPH without shoofly) Alternative III - Overhead (30 MPH) Alternative IV - Overhead (35MPH) Common Project Goals: Both underpass and overhead alternatives share the following common goals. Limit impact to existing driveways Retain access to adjacent properties Produce a cost efficient solution (i.e. vertical alignment impacts to Whipple Road may be cost prohibitive) Maintain minimum one lane open to traffic in each direction on Union City Boulevard at all times during construction Though the Underpass and Overhead alternatives share common goals, some key advantages and disadvantages are different as follows: Underpass: In general, the underpass alternatives would include a depressed roadway with retaining walls and a rail bridge structure over the depressed roadway. Underpass Advantages Design profile has shorter conform distance - because on sag vertical curves a lower comfort design speed may be used, allowing a 35 MPH design without impacting Whipple Road. (using American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials [AASHTO] design standards for sag vertical curve profile based on comfort design speed) Less visual impact than overhead Better access to private driveways (due to shorter conform distance) Underpass Disadvantages Complicated traffic handling during construction requires expensive rail shoofly Overhead: In general, the overhead alternatives would include a raised roadway with MSE retaining walls. Overhead Advantages No rail shoofly Limited Railroad involvement (as compared to the underpass alternatives) Page 2 4/17/2006 Union City Blvd./UPRR Grade Separation April 2006 Less costly structures on a per square foot basis Overhead Disadvantages Aesthetically not as appealing as underpass Accommodate a lower design speed for a similar conform limits More severe impact to driveways than underpass (when a similar design speed is used) 35 MPH design would impact Whipple Road (vertical impact at conform) Right of Way Maintaining existing driveway access is one of the key project goals. Due to changes in vertical alignment, some existing driveways will be eliminated along Union City Boulevard. The only parcel which would have all of its existing driveways closed is WHCI, Plumbing Supply Company at the southwestern corner of Union City Boulevard and UPRR tracks. Utilities Union City Boulevard is a heavily used utility corridor. Both the overhead and the underpass alternatives would require relocation of existing utilities. The impacted utilities would include a water line, an 8” sewer line, numerous drainage pipes and structures. Some additional private utilities that would require relocation are an Air Products pipe, a SBC telephone line, a Time Warner fiber optic line, a PG&E gas pipe and electrical lines. Project Costs Detailed conceptual project costs (including design, administration and right of way costs) are presented in this report. Immediately below is a summary of project costs for the alternatives: Project Costs Alternative I (Underpass 35 MPH with railroad shoofly) $20.0 million Alternative II (Underpass 35 MPH without shoofly) $18.9 million Alternative III (Overhead 30 MPH) $17.1 million Alternative IV (Overhead 35MPH) $18.5 million The conceptual project costs include engineering/environmental, construction, administration and right of way costs. Page 3 4/17/2006 Union City Blvd./UPRR Grade Separation April 2006 2. PROJECT BACKGROUND At-grade railroad crossings at public roadways are discouraged by state and federal transportation agencies. This facility is particularly undesirable due to the following reasons: 1) relatively high volume and relatively high speed arterial use of Union City Boulevard 2) the UPRR tracks cross Union City Boulevard at a skew (less than 90 degree) angle 3) the UPRR tracks are heavily used every day by both freight and passenger rail traffic 4) length of the crossing of 200’+ (due to the skew) During an on-site project review meeting, David Stewart (State of California Public Utilities Commission-PUC) stated that the PUC is, in general, supportive of grade separation projects. A. Project History The City has an interest in increasing economic vitality, as well as the transportation safety and efficiency, near the proposed project site along Union City Boulevard. The City would like to identify the impacts and costs of eliminating the existing at grade railroad crossing between Tara Court and Whipple Road. B. Community Interaction The City’s Redevelopment Agency has identified the business district along Union City Boulevard on both sides of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks as a strategic area with significant potential for increased utilization. While there are currently some successful and long time business establishments, the area also includes some businesses which are transitioning ownership (either recent transfer of ownership or currently for sale businesses), some vacant buildings for lease, and some vacant land ready for new businesses. The City has an interest in working with all business entities, as well as encouraging continued and expanded business opportunities. 3. TRAFFIC Union City Boulevard has a relatively high volume of traffic particularly during the AM and PM peak hours. A minimum of 2 lanes (one in each direction) will be maintained at all times during construction. There are existing railroad gates and warning devices in each direction at the approach to the at-grade railroad crossing. These railroad gates and flashing beacons must be maintained and operational at all times during construction until the grade separation facility is open for traffic. Page 4 4/17/2006 Union City Blvd./UPRR Grade Separation April 2006 4. ALTERNATIVES A. Existing Facility The existing at grade railroad crossing on Union City Boulevard is located about midway between Tara Court and Whipple Road and is in a commercial / industrial area. Union City