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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.3 Downtown Train Station Platform Extension Update.Mr�GauC �'d'+rt;�iect Item Cover Page Subject Downtown Train Station Platform Extension Meeting July 13, 2021 - COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - Fiscal Impact false Dollar Amount N/A. Budget Source N/A. Category DISCUSSION ITEMS Type Information Item In 2017 and 2018, the Village funded engineering studies of downtown intersections. The purpose of these studies was to identify causes and potential solutions to mitigate traffic congestion during peak travel hours. Several movements in the Elmhurst Road (IL 83) / Northwest Highway (IL 14) / Prospect Avenue intersection(s) have very poor level of service (LOS) ratings (E or F) during peak periods. The result and recommendations of these studies were presented the Village Board at the November 13, 2018 Committee of the Whole meeting. A notable outcome was the fact that the railroad grade crossing gates are in a down position for almost 30 minutes, total, during both the morning and evening peak 90 -minute travel periods. The downed gates contribute to congestion and delays by blocking conveyance of vehicles while trains board and alight passengers at the station. A crucial observation during the studies indicated that downed gates at the Elmhurst Road intersections could be reduced if inbound trains stopped 50 feet further east. A more easterly stop allows the train to trip a proximity switch that releases the Elmhurst Road gates; freeing them to open while the train is stopped at the station. Village staff has met with Union Pacific Railroad and Metra personnel on site and validated this observation. This operational change could reduce the amount of time that the gates are in the down position by up to 11 minutes, total, in the morning peak 90 -minute period and up to 4 minutes total in the evening peak 90 -minute period. The net impact of implementing this 1 operational change could significantly improve traffic delays, congestion, pedestrian safety, and improve local air quality. Stakeholders for this proposed project include IDOT, the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR), Metra, the Illinois Commerce Commission, the Village of Mount Prospect, as well as regional commuters and drivers. Mount Prospect is pursuing development of a project to extend the platform 150' to the east in order to reduce down time for Elmhurst Road gates. Attached are engineering plans that portrays this concept. The estimated cost of this project is $900,000. This estimate includes permit, engineering, and construction costs. On June 18, 2019, the Village Board accepted a feasibility study proposal from HDR which included, as part of the scope of work, "design engineering and construction engineering (observation and contract administration) services necessary to extend existing commuter rail station platform approximately as required by the Union Pacific Railroad Company, Metra, and the Illinois Commerce Commission". This platform extension will help satisfy a short-term goal to modify the stopping position of inbound trains. Inbound trains that stop further east for boarding and alighting passengers will shorten the time crossing gates are in the down position blocking traffic on Illinois Route 83 (Elmhurst Road/Main Street). The Village has received a State of Illinois grant for the entire estimated cost of the project ($900,000). Presently, staff is awaiting execution of grant documents by the grant administrator (Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)). In addition, staff has initiated project development discussions with the Union Pacific Railroad and Metra. Both organizations are supportive of the improvement. Furthermore, UPRR has verbally indicated intent to design and construct the proposed improvement as an in-house project. Under such an arrangement, the Village would compensate the railroad for the cost of construction. Presently, staff is working with the railroad to memorialize terms into a formal agreement. However, the pace of work appears mired in UPRR's recent efforts to divest itself of commuter operations in the Chicago area. On a related note, staff also plans to install a new fence in the East Commuter Parking Lot to separate the parking field from the train platform. This fence will primarily be installed in existing planting beds and will include gates that can be closed to improve safety when the lot it utilized for public events such as the Farmers' Market. Generally, the new fence will extend from the Emerson Street right-of-way to an eastern terminus that joins with an 2 existing chain link fence already installed along the border between the parking lot and railroad tracks. Attached is a map denoting the approximate location of the proposed fence. The fence will be black aluminized fence to match the existing fence located in the right-of-way. Staff proposes to install a decorative fence similar to the existing fence installed on the south side of the railroad right-of-way adjacent to Prospect Avenue. The estimated cost of this improvement is $25,000. Alternatives 1. Staff to present an informational Downtown Train Station Platform Update. 2. Action at the discretion of the Village Board. Staff Recommendation No Village Board action is requested. ATTACHMENTS: PROPOSED FENCE EAST COMMUTER LOT.pdf Concept --Mt Prospect Platform Ext_20200311.pdf 3 E YJ + O� C BOO d NO T d0 p me O +D 0; mO+V LO- CT �O +=�o of no �mo 0 00 C. 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