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Request for recommendation to approve a grade crossing surface construction and maintenance agreement with Soo Line Railroad Company, d/b/a CPKC, at N 115th St north of Underwood Parkway, related to Contract 25-07 Watertown Plank Rd & N 115th St Utilities & Paving
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Submitted by:
Mike Steiner, Assistant City Engineer
Department
Public Works - Engineering Division
A. Issue
Request for recommendation to approve a grade crossing surface construction and maintenance agreement with Soo Line Railroad Company, d/b/a CPKC, at N 115th St north of Underwood Parkway, related to Contract 25-07 Watertown Plank Rd & N 115th St Utilities & Paving
B. Background/Options
Contract 25-07 Watertown Plank Rd & N 115th St Utilities & Paving includes constructing a multiuse path along the east side of N 115th St and a sidewalk along the west side N 115th St between Watertown Plank Road and the Oak Leaf Trail and Underwood Parkway respectively. Both the path and the sidewalk cross the railroad tracks that cross N 115th St, requiring the construction of crossing surfaces for the trail and sidewalk and the replacement of the crossing surface for the road crossing. Soo Line Railroad Company, d/b/a CPKC, completes the construction of these crossing surfaces.
This agreement between the City of Wauwatosa (Road Authority) and CPKC (Company) outlines the requirements, including
“compensation for COMPANY’s assumption of all such future obligations, ownership, renewal, replacement, inspection, maintenance and repair responsibilities relative to the aforesaid at-grade crossing, the ROAD AUTHORITY agrees to make a one-time payment of two-hundred sixteen thousand dollar ($) to the COMPANY.”
The agreement includes an easement over the COMPANY’S right-of-way and line of track for the new crossing for the multiuse path.
The Grade Crossing Surface Construction & Maintenance Agreement is attached to this report.
C. Strategic Plan (Area of Focus)
Priority 2: Public Safety, Goal 2 - Proactively address pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular safety.
Priority 3: Infrastructure, Goal 2 - Ensure the City’s infrastructure supports public health through multi-modal transportation and recreation opportunities.
D. Fiscal Impact
Compensation for the grade crossing surface construction and maintenance is a one-time cost of $216,000. The anticipated costs for the surfacing crossing construction was included in the 2025-2029 CIP Budget, Project 1025.
E. Recommendation
Staff recommends the City enters into the Grade Crossing Surface Construction & Maintenance Agreement with Soo Line Railroad Company, d/b/a CPKC. d/b/a CPKC, at N 115th St north of Underwood Parkway.
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Recommendation: Common Council