(6)AR 120109 Hunts Lane Grade Separation Project

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ITEM #6 CITY OF COLTON AGENDA REPORT FOR THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 1, 2009 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM: MARITZA TAPIA, INTERIM PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR SUBJECT: APPROVE A CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION FINDING AND EXECUTION OF A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF COLTON AND CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF HUNTS LANE GRADE SEPARATION PROJECT. DATE: NOVEMBER 19, 2009 BACKGROUND: The Hunts Lane Grade Separation project ("Project") is a project located at Hunts Lane between Commercial Road and Oliver Holmes Road (Exhibit "A"). The centerline of Hunts Lane divides the City of Colton and the City of San Bernardino. The project proposes to separate the existing at - grade roadway -railroad crossing by raising the grade of Hunts Lane over the existing Union Pacific Rail Road ("UPRR") tracks by constructing a bridge over the UPRR right-of-way, between Heritage Lane and Steel Road/Redlands Boulevard intersections. This project will help improve vehicle movement on Hunts Lane by eliminating the need for motorists to wait for train traffic. The proposed project will also include improvements to existing streets, utilities, land acquisition, and other work necessitated by the grade separation. The lead agency for the Project is San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) in collaboration with the Cities of Colton and San Bernardino. After completion of the project, the City of Colton and the City of San Bernardino will be responsible for the maintenance and future repairs of the portions of the project located in the respective jurisdictions. ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION: Hunts Lane is a major thoroughfare that provides access to the residents of the City of Colton and the City of San Bernardino as well as motorists exiting and entering the Interstate 10 freeway, located just north of the project location. Separating the roadway and railway grades will help improve safety and traffic delays. Safety will be improved by the decrease in train -person and train - vehicle conflicts. Additionally, traffic delays will be reduced by the elimination of traffic backups at the railroad crossing. The project has recently obtained environmental clearance from Caltrans. Staff requests