September 13, 1996

Memorandum To: James A. Smailes, P.E.
Federal Railroad Administration

From: Mitch Eaton

Highway/Railroad Traffic Separation Engineer Subject:  Quarterly Report # 1, North Carolina Sealed CorridorProject: TIP Project No. P-3419; Next Generation High Speed Rail Grant

The North Carolina Department of Transportation has completed the following tasks as part of the Sealed Corridor project since the Next Generation High Speed Rail grant was awarded by FRA on July 11, 1996:Prepared a final plan for treatment of all crossings along the Greensboro-Charlotte corridor, excepting those that we are trying to close or within Traffic Separation Study limits.

• Met with a vendor to look at protection options for private crossings and selected a crossing in Mecklenburg County as a test site.
• Completed test and monitoring at Sugar Creek Road. NS is tabulating final results.
• Moved "Traffic Violator System" from the crossing at Sugar Creek Road to the crossing at Orr Road, both of which are in Charlotte. Long gate arm tests will begin at this location in 1997.
• Completed planning, specifications and engineering package for video ticketing system for the Henderson Street crossing in Salisbury.
• Finalized the CLEAR Violations study proposal with the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center.
• Drafted a proposal for a Traffic Separation Study to consolidate crossings between 36th Street in Charlotte and Liberty Street in China Grove, and are negotiating agreements for the study with the involved municipalities.
• Evaluated the Hackett Road crossing in Spencer for closure and identified a project that will mitigate closure. Scheduled a public meeting as per NCDOT policy.
• Proceeded with efforts to close 8 crossings in Salisbury, and the Peach Orchard Lane crossing in Rowan County.
• Initiated negotiations with the City of Lexington to close the 13th Avenue Crossing.
• Held a public workshop on the Unity Street grade separation in Thomasville, as part of a project to ultimately eliminate 6 crossings.
• Revised and printed the FRA brochure, "Highway-Rail Crossing Consolidation and Elimination: A Public Safety Initiative," specifically adapting it for North Carolina use.
• Requested the installation of median barriers at 13 locations by the Division of Highways Traffic Engineering Branch to be completed by the end of 1996.