Minutes 11/25/2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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November 25, 2014 Background: • The Turnpike Road Widening Project has been a City of Portsmouth priority road project since the late 1980's. The project was divided into phases due the overall cost. • The current phase of the Turnpike Road Widening Project will improve Turnpike Road from Constitution Avenue to Dixie Avenue. • The project includes the installation of storm drainage facilities, the installation of utilities, the installation of new flashing light signals and short arm gates warning devices, construction of pedestrian sidewalks along with the necessary signage or other warning devices for said new pedestrian sidewalks and the installation of a new full depth concrete crossing surface and all associated work. Discussion: • The railroad agreement allows for the construction, widening and future maintenance of Turnpike Road within the NBPL right of way. • All road improvements will be constructed by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) as part of the project. NPBL will install all safety features for the crossing and bill VDOT. The future maintenance of Turnpike Road across the railroad right of way will be in accordance with existing agreements with NPBL. • The railroad agreement has been reviewed by the City Attorney's Office. • Adoption of a resolution will allow the City Manager to execute the railroad agreement the purposes stated herein. Financial impact: • No City funds are involved. Recommended Action: • Adoption of the resolution. Vision Principle: Efficient, Responsive Government. Next Steps Following Council Action: • Execute the agreement and return to the Virginia Department of Transportation. Motion by Ms. Randall, and seconded by Mr. Meeks, to adopt the following ordnance, and was adopted by the following vote: "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A RAILROAD AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, AND THE NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH BELT LINE RAILROAD COMPANY FOR THE TURNPIKE ROAD WIDENING PROJECT. WHEREAS, the Turnpike Road Widening Project, a City priority project since the 1980's, currently proposes the construction, widening and future maintenance of Turnpike Road within the right of way of the Norfolk and Portsmouth Belt Line Railroad Company (NBPL) between Constitution Avenue and Dixie Avenue; and WHEREAS, the proposed construction and future maintenance activities necessitate that the City enter into a Railroad Agreement with the Commonwealth of Virginia and NPBL. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Manager be, and hereby is, authorized to execute on behalf of the City a Railroad Agreement and other assurances, under such terms as he deems in the best interests of the City, with the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Norfolk and Portsmouth Belt Line Railroad Company for the construction, widening and future maintenance of Turnpike Road within the right of way of the Norfolk and Portsmouth Belt Line Railroad Company between Constitution Avenue and Dixie Avenue." Ayes: Cherry, Edmonds, Meeks, Moody, Psimas, Randall, Wright Nays: None