HomeMy WebLinkAbout20070265.tiff RESOLUTION
RE: APPROVE APPLICATION FOR AUTHORITY TO CREATE AN AT GRADE CROSSING
OF THE GREAT WESTERN RAILROAD AT THE FAIRVIEW STREET EXTENSION AND
AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN - COLORADO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, pursuant to
Colorado statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of
administering the affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and
WHEREAS, the Board has been presented with an Application for Authority to create an
at-grade crossing of the Great Western Railroad at the Fairview Street extension, south of Weld
County Road 26, and north of State Highway 119; abandon the existing crossing at Weld County
Road 3.5 approximately one-half mile east; and replace crossing surfacing material at the existing
crossing of Weld County Road 26, west of Weld County Road 5, and east of Weld County
Road 3.5, from the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County
Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Department of Public Works, to the Colorado
Public Utilities Commission, with terms and conditions being as stated in said application, and
WHEREAS,after review, the Board deems it advisable to approve said application, a copy
of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Weld
County, Colorado, that the Application for Authority to create an at-grade crossing of the Great
Western Railroad at the Fairview Street extension, south of Weld County Road 26, and north of
State Highway 119;abandon the existing crossing at Weld County Road 3.5 approximately one-half
mile east;and replace crossing surfacing material at the existing crossing of Weld County Road 26,
west of Weld County Road 5, and east of Weld County Road 3.5, from the County of Weld, State
of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the
Department of Public Works, to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission be, and hereby is,
approved.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board that the Chair be, and hereby is, authorized to
sign said application.
2007-0265
�� EG0056
n(1 : PA ) 6 4";c J -f1S-O7
APPLICATION FOR AUTHORITY TO CREATE AN AT GRADE CROSSING OF THE GREAT
WESTER RAILROAD AT THE FAIRVIEW STREET EXTENSION - COLORADO PUBLIC
UTILITIES COMMISSION
PAGE 2
The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted by the
following vote on the 29th day of January, A.D., 2007.
BOA OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
WEL OUN , DO
ATTEST: z1,1%, ,
�ij David E. Long, Chair
Weld County Clerk to the Board .
e615"-( 7/1-7
n6 5"- f1-7 ) y�h William H. Jgr -Tem
BY: � `
Deputy Clerk to the Board L/Ifr�/
William F. Garcia
APP D AS TO F • EXCUSED
Robert D. Masden
unAA o ey ( op�� ✓
uglas Rademach
ate of signature: /-O7
2007-0265
EG0056
MEMORANDUM
CTO: Clerk to the Board DATE: 1/22/2007
FROM: Drew Scheltinga, P.E., County Engineer
COLORADO
SUBJECT: Agenda Item
Application submitted from Weld County, Colorado, for the authority to create an at grade
crossing of the Great Western Railroad at the Fairview Street extension south of WCR 26.
Three original,duplicate documents are attached. Please send two originals to Public Works.
M:IFrancieWgenda Item.doc
2007-0265
J
BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
OF THE STATE OF COLORADO
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF WELD COUNTY, )
COLORADO, FOR THE AUTHORITY TO CREATE AN AT GRADE )
CROSSING OF THE GREAT WESTERN RAILROAD AT THE )
FAIRVIEW STREET EXTENSION, SOUTH OF WELD COUNTY ) DOCKET NO.
ROAD 26 AND NORTH OF STATE HIGHWAY 119; ABANDON )
THE EXISTING CROSSING AT WELD COUNTY ROAD 3.5 )
APPROXIMATELY ONE-HALF MILE EAST; AND REPLACE )
CROSSING SURFACING MATERIAL AT THE EXISTING )
CROSSING OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 26, WEST OF WELD )
COUNTY ROAD 5 AND EAST OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 3.5 IN )
WELD COUNTY, COLORADO.
Weld County of Colorado, hereinafter referred to as County, hereby submits this application to
the Public Utilities Commission of the State of Colorado, hereinafter referred to as PUC, for an
order authorizing removal of an existing at-grade railway crossing with Weld County Road 3 'h
(DOT Number 849320Y at Mile Post 3.63), north of State Highway 119 and south of Weld
County Road 26 at the track of the Great Western Railway, hereinafter referred to as Company,
in Weld County, Colorado. In exchange, the County requests permission to install an at-grade
railway crossing with Fairview Street, which is to be extended north to Weld County Road 26
from State Highway 119, a location approximately one-half mile west of the proposed
abandonment. The County also requests permission to perform maintenance and upgrade
activities of the existing surface crossing material at the existing at-grading railway crossing with
Weld County Road 26 (DOT Number 849321F at Mile Post 4.17).
The County, in support of this application, respectfully submits the following information:
1. That the County is a political subdivision of the State of Colorado,with address:
Weld County Department of Public Works
P.O. Box 758
Greeley, CO 80632-0758.
2. The County's representative will be Mr. Drew Scheltinga,P.E., who is the County Engineer for Weld
County. Please direct all inquiries regarding this application to him at the County's address.
3. The tracks at the Fairview Street Extension crossing are located approximately 1,300 feet south of
Weld County Road 26 and approximately 2,600 feet north of State Highway 119. Presently there is
no approved crossing of the tracks at this location. The proposed crossing is currently within Weld
County and would provide a connection between Weld County Road 26 and State Highway 119. A
vicinity map showing the immediate surrounding area is attached to this application as Exhibit A-1
and incorporated herein by this reference. The land in the immediate area of the crossing is
agricultural. Proposed future use is light industrial/commercial.
4. The County proposes to construct Fairview Street with 120' right-of-way width with a 68' Bowline to
Fairview St. RR Crossing Relocation
WCR 26 RR Crossing upgrade
PUC Application_RR Xing(a Fairview_CR 3.5 abandon and CR 26 Upgrade(Submitted).doc
1 of 4
flowline street cross section. This is equivalent to an arterial street in accordance with the City of
Longmont Design Standards and Construction Specifications. Ultimately, the roadway will consist of
two lanes of traffic in each direction, a center (painted) median lane, bike lanes, and may have
sidewalks on each side. Initially, the interim improvements will consist of one lane of traffic in each
direction and paved shoulders. The Fairview Street Extension is intended to provide better
transportation connectivity thereby reducing vehicle miles traveled in a fast-developing region of
Weld County. The proposed extension would also provide an alternative access to commercial and
residential sites in the vicinity in addition to access to and from State Highway 119. This alternative
access is critical for emergency service vehicles. Improvements to the crossing are more fully
described in the following paragraphs.
5. Weld County will contract with the Company to have it install and maintain a concrete surface
crossing with advanced warning signs (railroad crossbucks, surface street painting to be installed by
Weld County) at the crossing.
6. Exhibit A-1 identifies the location of the tracks, buildings, structures, ground lines, and site features
in the vicinity of the crossing of which there appears to be a farm crossing and an irrigation crossing.
There are no buildings or structures in this vicinity. Exhibit A-2, attached to this application and
incorporated herein by this reference, also indicates adjacent property owners to the proposed
construction.
7. The installation at the proposed crossing of said concrete surfacing and advanced warning signage
will be in accordance with the Specifications of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance
of Way Association, the specifications of the Public Utilities Commission, the standards of the
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, the Colorado Department of Transportation Standard
Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, latest editions, the standards and specifications of
Weld County and the standards and specifications of the City of Longmont.
8. Presently, the crossing at Fairview Street is an "as needed" crossing of a Class 2 Track Classification
railroad. Train traffic is 2 trains per day, 3-5 days per week, with the potential to increase to 4 trains
per day in the next 5 to 20 years. It is estimated that the trains may have a time table speed of 25
miles per hour at the crossing. It is estimated that the projected average daily total of motor vehicles
to cross the Great Western Railroad tracks at the proposed location will be approximately 430
vehicles per day for a 0-5 year phasing, and 1,630 vehicles per day at build out (build out being in 30-
50 years). These vehicles include private cars and trucks and commercial truck traffic. Currently,
there are no schools located or proposed within a one mile radius of the proposed crossing. Exhibits
A-3a through A-3c, attached to this application and incorporated herein by this reference, provide
proposed designs of the surface crossing for the phased construction of this crossing. Please note that
detached sidewalks have been determined to be impractical at this location due to difficult existing
conditions, such as irrigation ditches and structures.
9. The general facts of Items 4 through 8 above also apply to the Weld County Road 26 Crossing. This
crossing is an existing crossing, as noted at the beginning of this application. It is estimated that the
projected average daily total of motor vehicles to cross the Great Western Railroad tracks at the
proposed location will be approximately 300 vehicles per day for a 0-5 year phasing, and 2,300
vehicles per day at build out (build out being in 30-50 years). Exhibit A-4a through A-4c, attached
to this application and incorporated herein by this reference, provide proposed designs of the surface
crossing for the phased construction of this crossing. Please note that detached sidewalks have been
determined to be impractical at this location due to difficult existing conditions, such as irrigation
ditches and structures.
10. The Company was contacted for an estimate for the installation of concrete surfacing and the
Fairview St. RR Crossing Relocation
WCR 26 RR Crossing upgrade
PUC Application_RR Xing @,Fairview_CR 3.5 abandon and CR 26 Upgrade(Submitted).doc
2 of 4
advanced signage. It is the County's intention to provide crossbucks, combined with a full-stop
condition (stop sign with red flashing beacon) for the 0-5 year phase of these crossings, with the
installation of signals and gates to be triggered by additional traffic volumes. The County
understands that a new application with the PUC will be required when gates and signals are
warranted. The County feels this is a cost-effective method of installing/improving these crossings
given the small amount of existing and project rail traffic and the initial small amount of vehicular
traffic. The costs allocated to the County will be paid for by a developer who will provide collateral
to the County pending approval of this Application by the PUC. The estimate is as follows, with
detail for Fairview street and County Road 26 attached as Exhibit A-5:
Fairview Street Improvements: $ 57,574
County Road 26 Improvements: $ 62,236
Total Estimate $120,810
11. A grade separation is not practicable for the crossing because of the infrequency of the train traffic
and the prohibitive cost. Weld County and the Company will cooperate to provide appropriate
construction traffic control and detours to safeguard motorists and construction workers.
12. The construction of the crossing is expected to be started and completed in 2007, pending approvals.
Sequencing of the installation will be (1) Install crossing materials at Fairview and CR 26, (2) CR 3.5
Re-alignment constructed, along with Fairview Street and CR 26 asphalt paving, (3) Fairview
Crossing is then opened concurrently with the closing of the existing CR 3.5 crossing.
13. The crossing location at Fairview Street is an existing private farm access crossing.
14. The abandonment of the crossing at WCR 3.5 has been planned as a cooperative project between the
County and a development project that will realign WCR 3.5 to the east connecting with WCR 5 as
shown in Exhibit B-1 attached to this application and incorporated herein by this reference.
15. The existing crossing at WCR 3.5 crosses a Class 2 Track Classification railroad. It is currently a
signed crossing on a County maintained gravel roadway.
16. The Company has offered support for this combined"trade" of rail crossings as shown in Exhibit B-2
attached to this application and incorporated herein by this reference.
17. The County has worked closely with the City of Longmont, who is also an adjacent landowner to the
Fairview crossing. The City has reviewed the plans and supports the design as shown in Exhibit B-3
attached to this application and incorporated herein by this reference.
18. A list of adjacent utilities has been prepared as shown in Exhibit B-4 attached to this application.
WHEREFORE, the County requests that the Public Utilities Commission of the State of Colorado enter
an Order authorizing the construction and abandonment of the above-described crossings.
DATED at Greeley, Colorado.
Fairview St. RR Crossing Relocation
WCR 26 RR Crossing upgrade
PUC Application_RR Xing a Fairview_CR 3.5 abandon and CR 26 Upgrade(Submitted).doc
3 of 4
• ' WELD COUNTY, COLORADO
A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
ACCEPTANCE by the County of Weld, a body corporate and politic of the State of Colorado, by and
through its Board of County Commissioners, hereby accepts the above Public Utilities Commission
Application.
Dated this 29thday of Januar ,2007.
ATTEST: % p ^;� 1^
CLERK TOT E B COUNTY OF WELD, A BODY
COUNTY COMMISSIONS f•FF +r 1 ORPORATE AND POLITIC OF THE
THE COUyN�TY� OF WELD 11861 ;r``` = ATE OLOR(A�DO
BY: �//�'47 ll ,s� .9� Y: \
Deputy Clerk to the Board � Jf °\ i David E.Long,Chair
`—. -•-^ BOARD OF COUNTY COMMI ONERS
OF THE COUNTY OF WELD
J 292001
STATE OF COLORADO
) ss.
COUNTY OF WELD )
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 29th day of January
David E. Long Chair,BOARD OF MMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF WELD.
.5 ............!y
Witness my hand and official s?.1.:'NOTAR
blic
My commission expires: OFca.
sion Exoir2s May 15,2010
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
County Attorney
The undersigned, first being duly sworn under oath, deposes and says that he has read the above and
foregoing Application and that he has personal knowledge that the facts contained therein are true.
Fairview St. RR Crossing Relocation
WCR 26 RR Crossing upgrade
PUC Application_RR Xing a@ Fairview_CR 3.5 abandon and CR 26 Upgrade(Submitted).doc
4 of 4
GD 2-eo?
GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY
Location: MP 3.08 near Longmont (WCR 3.5 DOT No. 849320Y MP 3.63)
Project: Fairview Road
Date: 3-Jan-07
Material
Type Width Footage Unit Cost Total Freight TOTAL
Concrete 10 96 $ 275.00 $26,400.00 $2,000.00 $28,400.00
Note: Rd Xing is 96'which includes sidewalks on either side
Rail
Weight Length Unit Cost Total
115 New 240 $ 18.00 $ 4,320.00
Ties
Size Quantity Unit Cost Total
7"x9"x10' 60 $ 70.00 $ 4,200.00
7"x9"x8'6" 12 $ 45.00 $ 540.00
OTM
Plates Quantity Unit Cost Total
115 lb. d.s. 144 $ 9.00 $ 1,296.00
Spikes Quantity Unit Cost Total
New 5/8"x6" 576 $ 0.50 $ 288.00
Rail Anchors
Weight Quantity Unit Cost Total
New 115 lb. 50 $ 2,00 $ 100.00
Compromise
Angle Bars
Weight Quantity Unit Cost Total
115/90 set 4 $ 350.00 $ 1,400.00
Bolts
Length Quantity Unit Cost Total
1"xs-3/4" New 20 $ 3.50 $ 70.00 TOTAL
Material $45,574.00
Misc
Contract $12,000.00
Item Quantity Unit Cost Total
Equipment Rental 4 $ 200.00 $ 800.00 $57,574.00
Thermite Welds 2 $ 500.00 $ 1,000.00
4" perf.drain pipe 280 $ 0.50 $ 140.00
4"pipe misc. 1 $ 20.00 $ 20.00
Fabric underlayment 120 $ 5.00 $ 600.00
Crossbuck (post sign 2 $ 300.00 $ 600.00
Ballast 100 $ 18.00 $ 1,800.00
$ 4,960.00
Contract Services
Item Days Day Rate Total
Contract Labor 4 $3,000.00 $12,000.00
GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY
Location: MP 4.17 (DOT No. 849321 F)
Project: Weld CR 26
Date: 3-Jan-07
Material
Type Width Footage Unit Cost Total Freight TOTAL
Concrete 10 104 $ 275.00 $28,600.00 $2,000.00 $30,600.00
Note: Rd Xing is 104'which includes sidewalks on either side
Rail
Weight Length Unit Cost Total
115 New 320 $ 18.00 $ 5,760.00
Ties
Size Quantity Unit Cost Total
7"x9"x10' 64 $ 70.00 $ 4,480.00
7"x9"x8'6" 34 $ 45.00 $ 1,530.00
OTM
Plates Quantity Unit Cost Total
115 lb. d.s. 196 $ 9.00 $ 1,764.00
Spikes Quantity Unit Cost Total
New 5/8"x6" 784 $ 0.50 $ 392.00
Anchors
Weight Quantity Unit Cost Total
New 115 lb. 140 $ 2.00 $ 280.00
Compromise
Angle Bars
Weight Quantity Unit Cost Total
115/90 set 4 $ 350.00 $ 1,400.00
Bolts
Length Quantity Unit Cost Total
1"x6" New 20 $ 3.50 $ 70.00 TOTAL
Material $51,236.00
Misc
Contract $12,000.00
Item Quantity Unit Cost Total
Equipment Rental 4 $ 200.00 $ 800.00 $63,236.00 $120,810.00
Thermite Welds 2 $ 500.00 $ 1,000.00
4"perf.drain pipe 280 $ 0.50 $ 140.00
4"pipe misc 1 $ 20.00 $ 20.00
Fabric underlayment 120 $ 5.00 $ 600.00
Crossbuck (post,sign) 2 $ 300.00 $ 600.00
Ballast 100 $ 18.00 $ 1,800.00
$ 4,960.00
Contract Services
Item Days Day Rate Total
Contract Labor 4 $3,000.00 $12,000.00
utia
o° l� 'oi
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE a`V)
I hereby certify that the forgoing COPY OF THE APPLICATION OF WELD COUNTY,
COLORADO,FOR THE AUTHORITY TO CREATE AN AT GRADE CROSSING OF
FHL GREAT WESTERN RAILROAD AT THE FAIRVIEW STREET EXTENSION,
SOUTH OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 26 AND NORTH OF STATE HIGHWAY 119;
ABANDON THE EXISTING CROSSING AT WELD COUNTY ROAD 3.5
APPROXIMATELY ONE-HALF MILE EAST; AND REPLACE CROSSING
SURFACING MATERIAL AT THE EXISTING CROSSING OF WELD COUNTY ROAD
26,WEST OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 5 AND EAST OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 3.5 IN
WED COUNTY, OLORADO,was deposited in the U.S.Mail,postage pre-paid,this
(, day ofg011) /(vl' ,2007, addressed to the following:
/City of Longmont ./Qwest
Dale Rademacher YYY Len Cross
408 Third Ave 5325 Zuni St.,Room#728
ongmont, CO 80501 iD
Denver,CO 80221
City of Longmont {//United Power
an Wolford Bill Meier
408 Third Ave ' 18551 East 160th Avenue
Longmont,CO 80501 PO Box 929
dBrighton, CO 80601
City of Longmont '`///
Ken Huson LifeBridge Christian Church
1100 South Sherman Street Attn.Dale Bruns
ongmont,CO 80501 345 Ute Highway
ongnont, CO 80504
Longs Peak Water District
Barry Dykes Sherrelwood, Inc.
9878 Vermillion Road Attn. Gary Aboussie
ngmont, CO 80504 2400 28th St.
oulder,CO 80301
Xcel Energy
iNicci McManigal Fairview Estates,LLC
2655 N. 63rd St. Attn.Dale Bruns
Boulder,CO 80301 1425 Onyx Circle
Longmont,CO 80501
Print Name: D-e,v CJc(-1 c(41-} .,SG, S (P County Weld County eer 264)e. tibvem a40 D! St
1111 H Street P. •J • gal L 34
PO Box 758
Greeley,CO 80632-0758 l_ \,i..,� 7 e &b 50 Z
(970)304-6496 \\� ^_ ll `,
dscheltinga®co.weld.co.us Z CI�YtS bblhAe , V ? ifnC tAte lrP
OMICA0C0 kaOt Ci M * t4 tP t j
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Co S . Sr1O.44 sti-. tSt)
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Clerk to the Board DATE: May, 22, 2007
O FROM: Drew Scheltinga, P. E., County Engineer
•
COLORADO SUBJECT: Item for Recording
Enclosed is the Public Utilities Commission of the State of Colorado, Commission Decision Deeming
Application Complete and Granting Application Adopted April 25, 2007, for the LifeBridge Christian Church
Project, doc#2007-0265
pc: LifeBridge Christian Church Project file
M:\-Active Projects\LIFEBRIDGE CHRISTIAN CHURCH PROJECTWIemo to CTB on PUC granted application.DOC
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Decision No. C07-0402
BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF COLORADO
DOCKET NO. 07A-071R
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF WELD COUNTY, COLORADO, FOR THE
AUTHORITY TO CREATE AN AT GRADE CROSSING OF THE GREAT WESTERN
RAILROAD AT THE FAIRVIEW STREET EXTENSION, SOUTH OF WELD COUNTY
ROAD 26 AND NORTH OF STATE HIGHWAY 119;ABANDON THE EXISTING
CROSSING AT WELD COUNTY ROAD 3.5 APPROXIMATELY ONE-HALF MILE EAST;
AND REPLACE CROSSING SURFACING MATERIAL AT THE EXISTING CROSSING OF
WELD COUNTY ROAD 26,WEST OF WELD COUNTY ROAD 5 AND EAST OF WELD
COUNTY ROAD 3.5 IN WELD COUNTY, COLORADO.
COMMISSION DECISION
DEEMING APPLICATION COMPLETE AND
GRANTING APPLICATION
Mailed Date: May 17, 2007
Adopted Date: April 25, 2007
I. BY THE COMMISSION:
A. Statement
1. This matter comes before the Commission for consideration of an application
filed by Weld County of Colorado (Weld County) on March 7, 2007 requesting authority to
abolish the existing crossing of Weld County Road 3.5 (WCR 3.5) and the Great Western
Railway (GWR), National Inventory No. 849320Y, construct a new public crossing of GWR
with an extended Fairview Street, and perform maintenance and upgrade activities at the existing
at-grade crossing of GWR and Weld County Road 26 (WCR 26), National Inventory No.
849321F.
2. The Commission gave notice of this application to all interested parties, including
adjacent property owners in accordance with § 40-6-108(2), C.R.S. The Notice was mailed
March 19, 2007.
• • Before the Public Utilities Commission of the State of Colorado
Decision No.C07-0402 DOCKET NO. 07A-071R
3. No interventions were filed in this matter.
4. The Commission has reviewed the record in this matter and deems that the
application is complete within the meaning of§ 40-6-109.5, C.R.S.
5. Now being fully advised in the matter, we grant the application.
B. Findings of Fact
6. The Commission gave notice to all interested parties, including the adjacent
property owners. No intervention was received opposing the application.
7. Weld County requests Commission approval for activities at three crossings.
Weld County requests to abolish the WCR 3.5 crossing, construct a new public crossing at the
extended Fairview Street, and perform maintenance and upgrade activities at the WCR 26
crossing.
8. Weld County states that the abandonment of the WCR 3.5 crossing has been
planned as a cooperative project between Weld County and a development project that will
realign WCR 3.5 to the east connecting it with Weld County Road 5. Weld County proposed to
"trade" the existing WCR 3.5 crossing for a new public crossing at the extension of Fairview
Street and the GWR tracks.
9. Weld County proposes to extend Fairview Street to connect WCR 26 and State
Highway 119. Fairview Street will ultimately be constructed to a 120' right-of-way width with
two lanes of traffic in each direction, a center painted median lane, bike lanes, and may or may
not have sidewalks on each side. This ultimate build-out is equivalent to an arterial street in
accordance with the City of Longmont Design Standards and Construction Specifications. For
this application, Weld County proposes interim improvements consisting of one lane of traffic in
each direction, a center painted median, paved shoulders, and an eight foot bike path attached at
2
t
Before the Public Utilities Commission of the State of Colorado
Decision No.C07.0402 DOCKET NO. 07A-071R
the crossing. Weld County proposes to install crossbucks at the crossing with stop signs and
flashing red beacons powered by solar panels, advance warning signs, and pavement markings.
Weld County states that detached sidewalks at this location are impractical due to difficult
existing conditions such as irrigation ditches and structures. With the future phases, Weld
County acknowledges that an additional application or applications will be necessary to install
future proposed active warning at this crossing. The extension of Fairview Street will provide
alternative access for emergency service vehicles and will provide transportation connectivity to
this fast-developing region of Weld County.
10. Finally, Weld County proposes to widen the existing crossing of WCR 26. As
with the new Fairview Street crossing, WCR 26 will ultimately be constructed to a 120' right-of-
way width with two lanes of traffic in each direction, a center painted median lane, bike lanes,
and may or may not have sidewalks on each side. This ultimate build-out is equivalent to an
arterial street in accordance with the City of Longmont Design Standards and Construction
Specifications. For this application, Weld County proposes interim improvements consisting of
one lane of traffic in each direction, a center painted median, paved shoulders and an eight foot
bike path attached at the crossing. Weld County proposes to install crossbucks at the crossing
with stop signs and flashing red beacons powered by solar panels, advance warning signs, and
pavement markings. Weld County has determined that detached sidewalks at this location are
impractical due to difficult existing conditions such as irrigation ditches and structures. With the
future phases, Weld County acknowledges that an additional application or applications will be
necessary to install future proposed active warning at this crossing. The improved WCR 26 will
provide alternative access for emergency service vehicles and will provide transportation
connectivity to this fast-developing region of Weld County.
3
Before the Public Utilities Commission of the State of Colorado
Decision No.C07-0402 DOCKET NO.07A-071R
11. The current average daily traffic at WCR 26 is 300 vehicles per day (VPD) with
projected growth to 2,300 VPD at build out (in approximately 30 to 50 years). There is no
current average daily traffic at the proposed Fairview Street extension crossing (the existing use
is somewhat private in nature and used on an "as needed"basis). When open, Fairview Street is
projected to have 430 VPD with growth to 1,630 VPD at build out(again, in approximately 20 to
50 years). GWR currently operates two trains per day, three to five days per week with the
potential to increase to four trains per day in the next five to 20 years. Trains operate at a time
table speed of 25 MPH through the existing and proposed crossings.
12. The preliminary cost estimate for the group of projects is $120,810. The project
costs will be paid by Weld County through a developer who will provide collateral to Weld
County.
13. Weld County will be responsible for construction, installation and maintenance of
the roadway surface, pavement markings, advance warning signs, crossbucks and stop signs with
flashing red beacons, at their expense, as required under Commission Rule 4 Code of Colorado
Regulations 6 723-7-7211(c). GWR will be responsible for maintaining the crossing surface and
tracks at the crossings, at their expense, as required by 4 CCR 723-7-7211(a). We will require
the signed Construction and Maintenance agreement for the Fairview Street and WCR 26
crossings to be filed with the Commission by September 22, 2007, approximately 150 days from
the date of approval of this application.
14. Weld County states grade separations are not practicable for these crossings
because of the infrequency of the train traffic and the prohibitive cost. We agree with Weld
County that for the crossings in question with the current and projected volumes and the
4
Before the Public Utilities Commission of the State of Colorado
Decision No.C07-0402 DOCKET NO. 07A-071R
infrequent train traffic, grade separations at these sites are not practicable under the
circumstances.
15. Weld County states construction is expected to be started and completed in 2007,
pending approvals. The sequence of the work will be to first install crossing materials at
Fairview Street and WCR 26, finish the WCR 3.5 realignment construction as well as asphalt
paving at Fairview Street and WCR 26, and finally, concurrently open the Fairview Street and
close the WCR 3.5. We shall require Weld County to inform us in writing that the crossing is
installed and operational within 10 days after completion. We shall expect this letter sometime
around December 31, 2007. However we understand this letter may be provided earlier or later
than this date depending on changes or delays to the construction schedule.
16. We will require GWR to assign a National Inventory No. to the new Fairview
Street crossing and to inform the Commission, in writing, of the assigned number. GWR may
provide the new number to Weld County to be included in the finished construction letter.
C. Conclusions
17. The Commission has jurisdiction in this matter under §§ 40-4-106(2)(a) and
(3)(a), C.R.S.
18. No intervenor that filed a petition to intervene or other pleading contests or
opposes the application.
19. Because the application is unopposed, the Commission will determine this matter
upon the record, without a formal hearing under § 40-6-109(5), C.R.S., and Rule 1403 of the
Rules of Practice and Procedure, 4 CCR 723-1.
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Before the Public Utilities Commission of the State of Colorado
Decision No.C07-0402 DOCKET NO.07A-071R
20. We will grant the application consistent with the above discussion in paragraphs 8
through 14.
II. ORDER
A. The Commission Orders That:
1. The application is deemed complete within the meaning of§ 40-6-109.5, C.R.S.
2. The application filed by Weld County of Colorado (Weld County) is granted.
3. Weld County is authorized and ordered to proceed with abolishing the existing
crossing of Weld County Road 3.5 and the Great Western Railway (GWR), National Inventory
No. 849320Y, construct a new public crossing of GWR with an extended Fairview Street, and
perform maintenance and upgrade activities at the existing at-grade crossing of GWR and Weld
County Road 26,National Inventory No. 84932W
4. Weld County shall maintain, at their expense, the roadway approaches to the
crossings, pavement markings, advance warning signs, crossbucks and stop signs with flashing
red beacons pursuant to 4 Code of Colorado Regulations 723-7-7211(c). GWR shall maintain, at
its expense, the crossing surface and tracks pursuant to 4 Code of Colorado Regulations 723-7-
7211(a).
5. GWR is required to assign a National Inventory No. to the new crossing and to
provide that new number to the Commission.
6. Weld County is required to file the signed Construction and Maintenance
agreements for the Fairview Street and Weld County Road 26 crossings with the Commission by
September 22, 2007.
7. Weld County GWR is required to inform the Commission in writing that the
crossing installation is complete and operational within 10 days after completion. We shall
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• / Before the Public Utilities Commission of the State of Colorado
Decision No.C07-0402 DOCKET NO.07A-071R
expect this letter sometime around December 31, 2007. However, we understand this letter may
be provided earlier or later than this date depending on changes or delays to the construction
schedule.
8. The 20-day period provided for in § 40-6-114, C.R.S., within which to file
applications for rehearing, reargument, or reconsideration, begins on the first day following the
effective date of this Order.
9. The Commission retains jurisdiction to enter further required orders.
10. This Order is effective on its Mailed Date.
B. ADOPTED IN COMMISSIONERS'WEEKLY MEETING
April 25,2007.
(S EA L) THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
of Cp \� OF THE STATE OF COLORADO
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* RON BINZ
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CrtILMO% POLLY PAGE
ATTEST:A TRUE COPY
10-67./as,- CARL MILLER
Doug Dean, Commissioners
Director
G:\Commission draft orders\C07-0402_07A-071 R.doc:JEO
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