Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into agreements with Norfolk Southern Railway Company (“Norfolk Southern”) relative to the Arterial Street Rehabilitation - Williams Road Corridor - Scioto River to South Hamilton Road project.
According to data from the Ohio Rail Development Commission, the two at-grade rail crossings on Williams Road are among the top 15% most hazardous crossings in Ohio. Pursuant to Ordinance 2907-2024, the Department of Public Service engaged Woolpert, Inc. for the provision of planning and preliminary engineering services culminating in the preparation of a feasibility study evaluating the proposed construction of a separated grade crossing at the intersection of Williams Road and Athens Industrial Track and the reconstruction of the Norfolk Southern railroad bridge over Williams Road to accommodate widening of that roadway to potentially address those significant safety challenges. That scope of work necessitates that the Department of Public Service contract with Norfolk Southern to review and approve engineering plans, design plans, construction specifications, drawings, and other documents necessary to the completion of the project to identify and mitigate potential conflicts between rail operations and public infrastructure in proximity to railway corridors. The purpose of this legislation is to authorize the execution of an engineering agreement between the Department of Public Service and Norfolk Southern, pursuant to which the latter will perform a thorough plan review and other design and engineering services necessary to the completion of the Arterial Street Rehabilitation - Williams Road Corridor - Scioto River to South Hamilton Road project.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding in the amount of $12,500.00 is available for this project in the Streets and Highways Bond Fund, Fund 7704, within the Department of Public Service.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to ...
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