HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-172MAY 12, 2009
09 -172 RESOLUTION
(CARRIED 6 -0 LOST LAID OVER WITHDRAWN )
PURPOSE: APPROVE PETITION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF
A NEW AT GRADE CROSSING OF THE WISCONSIN
& SOUTHERN RAILROAD BY GLOBAL PARKWAY IN
THE SOUTHWEST INDUSTRIAL PARK
INITIATED BY: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
WHEREAS, the City of Oshkosh proposes to cross the tracks of the Wisconsin &
Southern Railroad at -grade with Global Parkway, a public street, and
WHEREAS, the crossing is necessary to promote public safety and convenience
and access to properties owned by the City, and the City has only one other access into
this property, and a second access is required for public safety access by police and fire
protection. Additionally, the land is to be used for industrial park development which is
compatible with the railroad. The City intends to promote rail access and use of railroad
shipping by businesses in the industrial park, and
WHEREAS, the establishment of the crossing is advisable under all the
circumstances, and
WHEREAS, Section 195.29 Wisconsin Statutes authorizes the Office of the
Commissioner of Railroads to determine whether the establishment of the crossing is
necessary to promote public safety and convenience and is advisable, to determine the
necessary warning devices for the new crossing, and to apportion all costs for the new
crossing, including the costs of any automatic warning devices, and
WHEREAS, the City of Oshkosh proposes to pay all costs necessary to safely
establish the crossing,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Oshkosh hereby directs
the appropriate City officials /staff to take all necessary steps to petition the Office of the
Commissioner of Railroads for an investigation and order to approve the establishment
of the new crossing, to determine the necessary warning devices, and to apportion the
costs for the new crossing of Global Parkway with the tracks of the Wisconsin &
Southern Railroad in the City of Oshkosh, Winnebago County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Oshkosh
officials /staff shall comply with Chapter 195, Wisconsin Statutes and RR 1.025,
Wisconsin Administrative Code in the filing of the petition.
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OlHKOlH
ON THE WATER
MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council
FROM: Steven M. Gohde, Assistant Director of Public Works
DATE: May 7, 2009
RE: Petition to Establish a New At -Grade Railroad Crossing in the Southwest Industrial Park
BACKGROUND
Global Parkway, in the Southwest Industrial Park, currently exists from State Highway 91 to the
Wisconsin Southern Railroad tracks. The expansion plans for the industrial park require Global Parkway
to cross the railroad and provide access to additional industrial park lands to be developed. It is required
that the City Council pass a resolution to request the new at -grade railroad crossing.
ANALYSIS
The resolution will allow staff to petition for the establishment of an at -grade crossing of the railroad tracks
at Global Parkway in the Industrial Park. The crossing will allow access from State Highway 91 to
properties north of the railroad track.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will be required to pay for all costs associated with the installation of the crossing. Funding for
the road extension is included in the 2009 Street Section of the CIP. Additional funding will be needed to
install the required safety devices. It is estimated the crossing improvements will cost approximately
$475,000.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends approval of the resolution.
Respectfully Submitted,
"'�'
Steven M. Gohde
Asst. Director of Public Works
Approved:
City Manager
I:\ Engineering \Correspondence \Steve Gohde \council memos\RR crossing.doc