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Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Crossing Closure and Traffic Separation Study Implementation Agreement between North Carolina Department of Transportation, CSX Transportation, Inc., and City of Wilmington
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Department: |
City Manager |
Meeting Date: |
6/3/2025 |
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Contact Name: |
Thom Moton, Deputy City Manager |
Public Hearing: |
No |
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Contact Phone: |
910.341.7800 |
Advertising Date/Advertised By: |
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Attachments: |
1) Resolution 2) Agreement 3) 2017 Study Adoption 4) Study Report 5) Study Report Appendices 6) CSXT Area Map |
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this resolution is to authorize the City Manager to execute an Implementation Agreement that enables the Wilmington Traffic Separation Study to advance to construction.
BACKGROUND:
The City Council adopted the Wilmington Traffic Separation Study on February 21, 2017. The study was undertaken with the intent to assess 26 existing at-grade roadway/railroad crossings along a 6-mile span of the CSXT rail line, which runs through the City of Wilmington to the Port of Wilmington. The recommendations were also developed based on public input. These recommendations are identified to provide safer and improved mobility on and adjacent to the rail corridor for all modes of travel. One residual benefit of the planned improvements is that Wilmington will be in a better position to pursue Quiet Zones rail crossings. If the City desired to pursue establishing Quiet Zones, improvements must first be made to mitigate the increased risks associated with the absence of the train horn.
Section 10 of the agreement entitled “Maintenance” requires the City of Wilmington to pay CSX Transportation, Inc. (“CSXT”) 50% (fifty percent) of CSXT’s annual maintenance cost, which equates to $21,000. The City pays currently for eight annual railroad crossing maintenance locations. Five of the eight locations will be improved, and eight new locations will be added. The CSXT Area Map depicts some of those locations. Construction is expected to be completed in FY25/26 and budgetary impacts occurring to the Traffic Engineering Division budget in FY26/27.
budget
BUDGET IMPACT:
$21,000 anticipated in FY26/27.
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
Staff recommends City Council authorize the City Manager to execute the Crossing Closure and Traffic Separation Study Implementation Agreement.