Riverfront quiet zone plans OK’d by FRA, resident urges more pedestrian protections

During public works hearings, a Davenport resident raised safety concerns about the Riverfront quiet zone design and asked whether the plans had Federal Railroad Administration approval and included pedestrian protections.

William Pamperin of the 7th Ward said he noticed crossings in the plans that appeared to lack pedestrian signals and warned the city that inadequate design could contribute to a future lawsuit. "Are they in this plan? Has it ever been put in there?" Pamperin asked, urging the city to consider enforcement given heavy trail and truck traffic near the railroad.

Clay Merritt, director of engineering and capital projects, responded that the city selected a qualified consultant (Snyder & Associates) through a request-for-qualifications process and that the consultant-signed plans had been approved by the FRA, allowing staff to proceed with contractor procurement. Merritt noted that work in the railroad right-of-way is handled separately by the rail authority and that FRA review includes multiple checkpoints.

Separately, the council moved several public-works contract awards and plan/specification items toward the consent agenda, including library roofing, street rehabilitation and airport taxiway reconstruction projects. Contract amounts announced included $399,100 for Fairmont Library roofing and $419,569.50 for Glass Bell Street rehabilitation; the council advanced several items to consent after limited public comment.

Next steps: staff will continue procurement and design follow-up for the quiet zone and other public-works projects; specific construction approvals will return through the normal contracting process.