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May 24, 2000

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

From: Mitch Eaton, Highway/Railroad Traffic Separation Engineer

Subject:Quarterly Report # 15, 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 our last report to you in February 2000:

  • Construction on the long gate arm locations has been started by Norfolk Southern. The Long Ferry Rd. crossing in Spencer and the Lower Lake Rd. crossing near Thomasville have been constructed, and the long gates for the Robinson Church Rd. crossing was cut-in on May 17, 2000. The Rail Division is finalizing plans for the last seven long gate arm locations identified on Phase I. The seven locations will finish all the long gate locations presently identified for treatment on the Phase I corridor, with the exception of crossings identified for closure or improvement through Traffic Separation Studies.
  • The gate mechanism replacement and train detection circuitry improvements for the Hickory Ridge Rd. crossing have been completed. Median barriers protect the Hickory Ridge Rd. crossing, but additional work under Rail Impact was identified for the crossing signal equipment to safely work for train speeds of 79 mph.
  • The Rail Division is testing the Recycled Technology, Inc. median barrier, which is similar to the Qwick Kurb median barrier, but uses tubular delineators instead of flat panels. The median has been installed at the Maynard Rd. crossing in Cary and Ellis Rd. crossing in Durham. The product has held up to impacts from vehicles, but the Rail Division has noted that the yellow paint will chip away from the curbing. The Rail Division will recommend that the company improve the paint's adhesion to the curb and strengthen the metal cup that is cast into the curb to hold the tubular delineator.
  • The Rail Division is negotiating a maintenance contract with Qwick Kurb for the maintenance of the existing 14 locations on the Phase I Sealed Corridor. The maintenance contract will specify quarterly inspections of the locations and appropriate maintenance performed. The contract also includes emergency mobilization for the removal of the curb if roadway work is scheduled at a crossing by the railroad or State, and the rehab and reinstallation of the curb when the roadway work is complete. The contract will be for three years and will be renegotiable at the end of the term.
  • The four-quadrant gates at the Fisher Ferry Rd. and Salem St. crossings in Thomasville have been constructed. The City conducted an opening ceremony and press conference on April 19, 2000 to publicize the crossing safety improvements that have been made within the City. The four-quadrant gates at the 36th St. crossing in Charlotte have been constructed and were put in service on May 16, 2000.
  • The Rail Division has sent to CSX Transportation the proposed improvements for the seven crossings on the Phase III of Sealed Corridor between Fetner Junction in Cary and Boylan Street in Raleigh. Sealed Corridor signs have also been designed for CSX Transportation's "1-800" emergency number.
  • The municipal agreement between the NCDOT Rail Division and the City of Greensboro for the construction of the connector road that will eliminate the Rail St., Rucker St., and Boston Rd. crossings has been executed by both parties. The Rail Division has authorized the City to begin right-of-way acquisition. The project is scheduled to be completed in three years.
  • The "Stop Here When Flashing"and "1-800" emergency number signs have been distributed and erected on the State route roads on the Phase I Sealed Corridor. Because the State does not have jurisdiction on municipally maintained roads, the Rail Division is arranging for each municipality to erect the signs at the appropriate crossings in their city limits. If a municipality does not have the forces to erect the signs, the Rail Division will make arrangements to have the signs put up by State forces.
  • As per recommendations from the South End Traffic Separation Study, the Rail Division is progressing with the design for modular crossing surfaces at the McGill Ave. crossing in Concord, Universal St. in Kannapolis, and the Ryder Ave. crossing in Landis. The Rail Division is also recommending a modular crossing surface at the Back Creek Church Rd. crossing in Charlotte. The road is planned to be widened at the crossing, and the Rail Division has recommended the crossing surface in addition to a concrete median barrier to be constructed.
  • As per recommendations from the South End Traffic Separation Study, the environmental study for the realignment of NC-152 is underway to determine necessary environmental impacts to address and deliverable schedules. The propopsed realignment will eliminate a dog-leg intersection between NC-152, E. Church St., and US-29A, and allow the closure of the E. Liberty St. and Chapel St. crossings.
  • The Rail Division is working with NCDOT Highway Division 7 to evaluate the possible closure of Walton's Crossing on the Phase II Sealed Corridor. The crossing is proposed for closure as part of the proposed siding extensions and curve improvements on the North Carolina Railroad corridor between Raleigh and Greensboro. The field investigations for Sealed Corridor crossing treatments on Phase II (Greensboro to Raleigh) were started on May 23, 2000.
  • Negotiations continue with the City of High Point for a Traffic Separation Study that includes the W. Grimes Ave., Taylor Ave., West Point Ave., and Prospect St. crossings.
  • The City of Greensboro is proposing to conduct a Traffic Separation Study for East Greensboro and east Guilford County. The study will include public crossings between Elm St. in Greensboro to Cullin Rd. near Burlington.

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