HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/14/2021 Item PC, Matteson
From:Glen Matteson <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Fw: Railroad Safety Trail fencing along Union Pacific Railroad, Orcutt Road to Jennifer
Street Bridge
Attachments:Railroad safety trail fencing ltr.pdf
Council members,
I was not able to attend the community forum on budget goal setting. Please see the attached letter.
Glen Matteson
From: Glen Matteson
Sent: Wednesday, January 13, 2021 10:39 AM
To: afukushima@slocity.org <afukushima@slocity.org>; lschwartz@slocity.org <lschwartz@slocity.org>
Subject: Railroad Safety Trail fencing along Union Pacific Railroad, Orcutt Road to Jennifer Street Bridge
Adam and Luke,
Greetings, and wishing you well.
Please see the attached.
Glen
1
January 13, 2021
Adam Fukushima
Active Transportation Program
City of San Luis Obispo
Luke Schwartz
Transportation Manager
City of San Luis Obispo
via email
Subject: Railroad Safety Trail fencing along Union Pacific Railroad, Orcutt Road to Jennifer
Street Bridge
Adam and Luke,
Over several decades the city has developed the first major part of the Railroad Safety Trail,
installed the Jennifer Street Bridge for cyclists and pedestrians, and widened and upgraded
crossing protection at UPRR and Orcutt Road. These were major benefits. However, there is a
serious safety and liability issue for the city along this trail.
One component of the Railroad Safety Trail is a fence to prevent hazardous trespass on UPRR
right-of-way. Over the years, the fence has deteriorated and been vandalized. As a result, there is
nearly unlimited access in that area. As a volunteer with the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum,
I often see people crossing the tracks –sometimes climbing over stopped freight trains— and
even carrying bicycles and strollers.
I realize that installing a fence here like the one along California Boulevard between Highway
101 and Foothill Boulevard would be expensive, at a time of constrained city budgets. However,
likely increased federal funding for infrastructure may be a source of funds. Grant programs for
enhanced grade-crossing protection and grade separations continue. New fencing between
previously completed crossing features may be eligible under one of those programs.
Please consider this issue and potential funding sources as citywide plans and budgets are
prepared.
Glen Matteson, Lecturer
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Transportation Program
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Assistant/Associate Planner, City of San Luis Obispo 1975 – 2003
City of San Luis Obispo Bicycle Advisory Committee member and chair 2003 - 2010