COLUMBUS -- Another request by the Platte County Board of Supervisors to close the East 14th Avenue railroad crossing will be presented to the City Council during its meeting Monday.
The request to close the East 14th Avenue crossing, which is inside city limits, was initially discussed by the council April 21 and a motion to decline the request passed 6-2. A few councilmen’s objections to the closure included a lack of benefit to the city, concerns from constituents and too many unknowns regarding the area, including speculation about proposed development.
The council is expected to enter into a closed session regarding the agenda item during its meeting, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at the Council Chambers, 1369 25th Ave.
The board of supervisors hopes additional information may persuade the council to change its position and permit the East 14th Avenue crossing to be closed as part of the proposed East 29th Avenue viaduct construction project.
Because the Nebraska Department of Roads and the Union Pacific Railroad Co. require that at least two crossings ” the crossing for the structure and an adjacent crossing ” be closed, East 14th Avenue and East 44th Avenue are the options for the adjacent crossing closure.
According to the data collected, the average daily traffic volume across the 14th Avenue crossing is lower than the East 44th Avenue crossing traffic volume and “no significant issues are anticipated with closure of either the East 14th Avenue or East 44th Avenue (Union Pacific Railroad) at-grade crossings.”
In addition to support from the county supervisors, the Columbus Economic Council and Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce are supportive of closing East 14th Avenue as part of the construction of an East 29th Avenue viaduct.
City Administrator Joseph Mangiamelli said the staff’s recommendation is to close the East 14th Avenue upon completion and opening of an East 29th Avenue viaduct.
“That has been our staff recommendation since the county first made its request,” Mangiamelli said, with safety being cited as the primary reason for the recommendation as the potential for vehicle-train exposure is expected to increase.
The railroad uses the area of East 14th Avenue for short-term train holding, which results in the crossing being closed consistently to vehicular traffic, he said, which is expected to be exacerbated as the Union Pacific is anticipated to make improvements and expand.
“With the anticipation of the third mainline coming to Columbus and an increasing number of trains, this condition will only worsen so closure may result on a daily basis,” Mangiamelli said. “This problem will be compounded by the spur line to be built to serve ADM, Katana and other industrial sites in the area, creating a fourth track upon which trains can be in movement or be parked, causing closure.”
“With the anticipation that increased and longer trains will be coming through the city, obviously we want to do whatever we can to increase that safety,” he said.
In other news the council is expected to:
• vote on a resolution to award low bid to General Excavating of Lincoln in the amount of $684,965 for Water Extension District No. 59, 33rd Avenue and 66th Street and Central Community College-Columbus.
• vote on a resolution to award low bid to General Excavating of Lincoln in the amount of $213,190 for Behlen Lift Station Renovation Project, north of 23rd Street/U.S. Highway 30 and east of the Loup Power District canal.
• vote on a resolution to approve an agreement between the City of Columbus and HDR Engineering Inc. for professional services for Solid Waste Transfer Station and Recycle Center Study, not to exceed $48,557 without the city’s written consent.
• vote on a resolution to award low bid to Obrist & Co. in the amount of $47,575 for 24-inch Water Main Project at Lost Creek Parkway and 33rd Avenue.
• vote on, as part of the consent agenda, a resolution to approve an agreement between the City of Columbus and Gilmore & Associates Inc. to provide airport management services.
• vote on, as part of the consent agenda, the approval of specifications and purchase of one sedan and two utility vehicles for the Police Department from the current State Bid Contract in the amount of $66,433.
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