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Council ratifies agreement to design grade separations on eastern rail corridor with CRISI grant funding
Summary
Council approved an ordinance ratifying a modified agreement with the City of Trussville and Norfolk Southern to design grade separations in neighborhoods affected by long train blockages, funded principally by an $8 million FY2022 CRISI grant with local matches and Norfolk Southern contributions.
The Birmingham City Council approved a measure ratifying a revised agreement among the city, the City of Trussville and Norfolk Southern Railway to move forward with design and engineering of grade separations intended to reduce long train blockages on Birmingham's eastern side.
Councilor Daryl O'Quinn, who has chaired transportation matters on the project, told the chamber the work is intended to make affected crossings "shovel ready" by completing engineering and design work. "This would address the train blockage issues on the Eastern Side of Birmingham, primarily in the Woodlawn, North Crestwood, Oak Ridge Park neighborhood," O'Quinn said, adding the project is not the construction phase but the preparatory design.
City staff said the project is funded in part by an FY2022 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant of $8,000,000; Birmingham and Trussville are each responsible for approximately 2.5% matches (about $250,000 each), and Norfolk Southern's share is about 15% (approximately $1,500,000), which may include up to $300,000 in reimbursable engineering review services.
The council approved the item on first reading by voice vote. Councilors noted long-standing community impacts from trains blocking crossings and asked staff to continue pursuing additional grant opportunities for other parts of the city.
