2025 2 10 Work Session PACKET 1

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PUBLIC WORKS 
 
 
TO:  Randall Dowling, City Manager 
FROM:  Kevin L. Helms, Project Manager/Interim Public Works Director 
Cc:  Ben Burchfield, Public Works Director 
DATE:  January 30, 2025 
SUBJECT: Rocky Mt. Rd. & W Madison Ave. Railroad Safety Improvements 
 
Summary 
Previously, TDOT , working with the City, undertook a  safety evaluation of this intersection which is 
bifurcated by a grade rail crossing .  The primary focus of this study was to assess potential measures to 
be implemented to improve safety at this location.   Following this evaluation, TDOT authorized CSR 
Engineering who performed the initial evaluation to proceed with design of the safety measures 
recommended. There are several modifications contained in the proposed design with the primary 
component being a traffic signal on W Madison Avenue. 
 
The project would be funded through Tennessee’s Highway -Railroad Grade Crossing Program which is 
managed by the Tennessee Office of Rail Engineering.  This program is commonly referred to as Section 
130 which is the terminology we will use for the project going forward.  The State of Tennessee typically 
receives about $5,000,000 annually from the Federal Highway Administration for this program. 
 
The engineer has provided an Opinion of Probable Cost for this project, which is estimated to be $600,000.  
The Section 130 program will pay for the project in full without any local funding required .  The local 
authority is responsible for administering the project and for maintenance of the infrastructure once the 
project is complete.  The City must initially pay the construction costs and then submit documentation for 
full reimbursement.  Reimbursement requests can be submitted as often as monthly or as infrequently as 
quarterly.   
 
The project has progressed as far as it can without a commitment from the City to move forward with the 
construction phase.  An official commitment to the project will allow for documentation related to the 
construction phase to progress, but actual construction would not be authorized until the 2026 federal 
fiscal year which begins October 1, 2025.  This documentation includes a contract for the project to be 
entered into by the State of Tennessee and the City.  Once projects are approved by the local jurisdiction, 
they are placed on a list of statewide projects ready to be funded for construction.   
 
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