Location

• Railroad Crossing on US 40, east of Route 72 in conjunction with Norfolk Southern Railway.

Project Timing

• Anticipated project start date of August 5, 2013 - night work requiring lane closures may be performed only between the hours of 7:30pm to 5:00am in advance of the full closure of US 40.
• Full closure of US 40 from August 9th through August 26th - complete replacement of the railroad crossing and corresponding drainage and roadway improvements to occur during this closure.
• Contractors are required to work 24/7 during the closure period.
• Public Information Meeting was held on July 9, 2013.

Project Need

• Railroad tracks need to be raised to correct "dip" that causes unsafe crossing for traveling public and railroad cars.
• Existing drainage does not function properly allowing water to pond in the area. This has expedited deterioration of the roadway and railroad.
• There are no sidewalks that cross the railroad tracks. Pedestrians walk along shoulder or on dirt paths. Pedestrian crossings of the tracks are currently unprotected.

Proposed Improvements [Concept Display}

• Construct new railroad tracks and crossing at higher elevation to provide for a smooth crossing.
• Install new drainage system to take water away from the crossing and roadway.
• Provide new ADA compliant sidewalks with crossing gates to provide safe pedestrian crossing of the tracks.
• Removal of barrier and median pavement on the east side of the crossing & reconfigure eastbound left turn lane to provide better guidance to motorists.
• Replacement of track allows trains to operate at constant speed minimizing the duration of the road crossing for the traveling public.

Project Cost

• Estimated Project Cost at $1 million.
• Project is Federally Funded.

Traffic Management

• Regional detours will include Route 1, Route 896, Route 273 and I-95.
• Local detours will utilize Route 72, Old Baltimore Pike, Salem Church Road and Porter Road.
• Signage informing public that all businesses are open.
• Adjustments to signal timings along detour routes.
• Use of traffic cameras to monitor traffic conditions real time and use of message boards to provide information to motorists.
• Use of shuttle to maintain pedestrian access across project.

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