Millwood, UP talking about crossing

The city of Millwood is negotiating with Union Pacific Railroad to re-establish parking within the railroad right-of-way along Euclid Avenue.

The railroad restricted parking last spring over safety concerns. 

Initially, as part of the negotiation, Union Pacific requested that the city close the railroad crossing at Marguerite Road to address safety concerns.

“Union Pacific was energetic, to say the least, in their desire for Marguerite to potentially be closed,” Millwood Mayor Kevin Freeman said. “They look at it as an unsafe crossing.”

Freeman told the council that Union Pacific said it has a number of internal incident reports, including near misses, at that crossing. He also said Union Pacific’s biggest concern with the Marguerite crossing is the lack of free traffic flow across the railroad tracks.

“Somebody could get stuck there,” Freeman said. “An extra long truck, a truck and trailer, something like that could potentially be stuck at that intersection given the way it is currently configured.”

During negotiations, Freeman told Union Pacific the city would not consider closing the Marguerite crossing.

Freeman further reported that Union Pacific requested the city establish a clear view triangle – an area of unobstructed view at an intersection – along with a 250-foot set back from the intersection at Marguerite and Euclid.

“If we were able to come up with a configuration that would allow the north bound traffic to clear Marguerite,” Freeman said. “They would go to a 100-foot setback for parking at that intersection.”

Union Pacific requested the city provide engineering plans demonstrating its plan to control the intersection and establish a clear view triangle.

The city has hired Welch Comer and Associates to conduct a traffic study. The study will measure traffic flow on the intersection and develop traffic engineering plans. Upon completion, Union Pacific will review the plans to ensure it meets safety specifications.

“We need to pay them for their review time,” Freeman said of Union Pacific. “They are asking for authorization by city of Millwood to invoice up to $10,000 in review fees.”

The council approved authorizing the mayor to sign an agreement for Union Pacific to conduct an engineering review to not exceed $10,000.

Freeman also reported that the city plans to look for funding to add signals to the Marguerite crossing.  He said Union Pacific estimates it will cost $250,000 to add signals. With signals, the Union Pacific would approve a 50-foot setback.

If Union Pacific approves the city’s plans for the Marguerite crossing, parking can be re-established along the railroad right-of-way on Euclid. 

For the parking on Euclid, Union Pacific requested the city establish a 50-foot setback from Argonne and the first parking stall heading west on Euclid.