The 2004 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) included funds for the Neighborhood Streets, including Lipscomb Street from West Capps Street to West Berry Street. On January 13, 2009, (M&C C-23275) the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a construction contract with Texas United Excavators, LLC, for pavement reconstruction and water and sanitary sewer replacement on College Avenue, Orange Street, Lipscomb Street and Wayside Avenue. This agreement with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF) will allow the City's reconstruction of the roadway and sidewalk across the railroad tracks to continue through the existing railroad right-of-way resulting in a much smoother ride for the traveling public. BNSF will provide flagging for the construction contractor at the contractor's expense while working in the railroad right-of-way. BNSF will replace the existing wood crossing with a new concrete crossing. The total cost for the installation of this new crossing is $105,109.00. BNSF Railway Company will cost-share on this project paying approximately 50 percent of the cost. Their total expense will be $52,309.00. The City is responsible for the remaining crossing cost to be split between the 2004 CIP Railroad Safety Funds and the Lipscomb Street construction project. The crossing at Hemphill Street was replaced in 2008 and salvaged concrete panels from that project were used to extend the north track at Lipscomb Street for the construction of the new sidewalk. The City has a systematic process to evaluate and rank all potential railroad crossing projects. Each of the nearly 200 crossings is ranked based on the crossing's roughness, heavy truck usage and nearby street conditions. Improvements to crossings are then made as funding is available. However, TPW looks for opportunities like this one to install crossings with joint cost participation by the railroads and others. This project is located in COUNCIL DISTRICT 9, Mapsco 76V. |
