Athens Avenue / UPRR Grade Separation Feasibility Study Thunder Valley Casino

RR Crossing At-Grade Crossing

Existing X-ing Configuration Automatic Gates Automatic Gates Median Separation Median Separation Standard, cantilever, and advance signals Standard, cantilever, and advance signals Traffic Signal Pre- emption Traffic Signal Pre- emption Additional Signs and Markings Additional Signs and Markings

Existing Casino Layout

Casino Expansion 475,000 s.f. Casino 475,000 s.f. Casino 650 Room Hotel 650 Room Hotel 3000 Seat Performing Arts Center 3000 Seat Performing Arts Center 5000 Space Garage 5000 Space Garage

Worst Case Traffic Conditions Future Saturday Evening Future Saturday Evening Future Saturday Evening with Event at 3000 seat Performing Arts Center Future Saturday Evening with Event at 3000 seat Performing Arts Center

Collision History 43 collisions in 5 year period at or near the crossing 43 collisions in 5 year period at or near the crossing Half were rear-end Half were rear-end Others include sideswipe, broadside, overturn, head-on, ran off road, striking fixed object, and striking a pedestrian Others include sideswipe, broadside, overturn, head-on, ran off road, striking fixed object, and striking a pedestrian None reported to interfere with the RR crossing None reported to interfere with the RR crossing In 2003 – 28 UPRR cars derailed adjacent to the crossing. In 2003 – 28 UPRR cars derailed adjacent to the crossing.

Criteria to Close Crossing (one or more) Nearby crossing is available w/ acceptable access Nearby crossing is available w/ acceptable access Cost to upgrade the crossing exceeds cost of an acceptable alternate access Cost to upgrade the crossing exceeds cost of an acceptable alternate access Combination of low volume, close alternative access, and limited increase in trip length Combination of low volume, close alternative access, and limited increase in trip length Crossing blocked excessively by train but not feasible to grade separate Crossing blocked excessively by train but not feasible to grade separate Source: GUIDANCE ON TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES AT HIGHWAY-RAIL GRADE CROSSINGS – HIGHWAY/RAIL GRADE CROSSING TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP (TWG), November 2002

Criteria for Grade Separation (one or more) Part of Interstate Highway System Part of Interstate Highway System Limited access Limited access High vehicle speed or volume High vehicle speed or volume High train speed or volume High train speed or volume Combination of train and vehicle volume (exposure) Combination of train and vehicle volume (exposure) Expected accident frequency (EAF) Expected accident frequency (EAF) High vehicle delay / Poor LOS High vehicle delay / Poor LOS Source: ibid.

At Grade Alternatives Backup queue detectors Backup queue detectors Advance arrival and delay information Advance arrival and delay information In pavement flashing lights In pavement flashing lights Vehicle arrest barrier Vehicle arrest barrier Changeable message signs Changeable message signs Access and turn prohibitions Access and turn prohibitions Customer education Customer education

Grade Separated Alternatives Full separation over Full separation over Partial separation over Partial separation over Full separation under Full separation under Partial separation under Partial separation under

Design Constraints Limited right of way Limited right of way Access to adjacent properties Access to adjacent properties High water table High water table Min. railroad clearance Min. railroad clearance Utilities Utilities Wetlands Wetlands Future roadway widening Future roadway widening

Three Alternatives Evaluated Full Grade Separated: Entire Athens Avenue / Industrial Avenue intersection elevated Full Grade Separated: Entire Athens Avenue / Industrial Avenue intersection elevated

Three Alternatives Evaluated Full Grade Separated: Only movements that go over RR tracks Full Grade Separated: Only movements that go over RR tracks

Three Alternatives Evaluated Partial Grade Separated: major NB to WB and EB to SB over RR tracks Partial Grade Separated: major NB to WB and EB to SB over RR tracks

Alternatives Considered But Not Advanced Depress Athens Avenue / Industrial Avenue and RR crossing under tracks. Depress Athens Avenue / Industrial Avenue and RR crossing under tracks. Depress RR tracks Depress RR tracks Upgrade alternative crossing in lieu of Athens Avenue / Industrial Avenue RR crossing Upgrade alternative crossing in lieu of Athens Avenue / Industrial Avenue RR crossing

Alternative 1

Alternative 2

Alternative 3

Ranking Filter CriteriaAlternative 1Alternative 2Alternative 3 Meets Purpose and NeedVery PositivePositiveNegative Engineering FeasibilityPositive Very Negative ConstructabilityPositive Neutral Right-of-WayPositiveNegativeVery Negative AccessPositive Negative Environmental ImpactsNeutral Positive Railroad ImpactsVery PositivePositiveNegative Traffic ImprovementsPositive Very Positive Safety ImprovementsPositive Negative Cost EstimateNeutralVery NegativeNeutral

Recommended Alternative Near Term – backup queue detection, in- pavement lights, customer education Near Term – backup queue detection, in- pavement lights, customer education Long Term – Alternative 1 - $42 Million Long Term – Alternative 1 - $42 Million