Resolution 7900006.170.059
WSS/ lfs
12/28/93
rev: 03/23/94
RESOLUTION NO. 790
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON, FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE
CITY OF EDMONDS (CITY) EXPRESSING ITS SUPPORT
FOR THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST RAIL CORRIDOR
PASSENGER SERVICE OBJECTIVES WHILE OPPOSING
ANY INCREASE IN PASSENGER OR FREIGHT TRAIN
SPEED BASED ON SAFETY ISSUES.
WHEREAS, Washington State Department of Transportation
(WSDOT) is committed to re-establishing rail passenger service from
Seattle, Washington to Vancouver B.C. on October 1, 1994, and,
WHEREAS, the Washington State legislature has provided
WSDOT funding to upgrade the rail infrastructure to allow passenger
rail service to be re-established and safely operated, and,
WHEREAS, WSDOT has established rail passenger service
objectives for the Seattle, Washington to Vancouver B.C. route,
initiating one round-trip per day on October 1, 1994, increasing to
three round -trips per day by the year 1999, and,
WHEREAS, Amtrak will only agree to operate rail passenger
service between Seattle, Washington and Vancouver B.C., under
contract with WSDOT, which is competitive in terms of run time with
other transportation modes, and,
WHEREAS, Amtrak and WSDOT have mutually agreed that three
hours and fifty-five minutes for a one-way trip between Seattle,
Washington and Vancouver B.C. is required competitive run time,
and,
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WHEREAS, the City recognizes potential life -threatening
hazards exist at the at -grade rail crossings and where the railroad
rights -of -way bisect publicly and privately owned properties along
the Cityos shoreline, and,
WHEREAS, WSDOT states that specific passenger and freight
rail speed limit increases are required in Edmonds to achieve the
necessary competitive run time and rail capacity to permit the re-
establishment of rail passenger service within the corridor, now,
therefore,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON,
HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City does encourage and support re-
establishment of the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor passenger
service from Seattle, Washington to Vancouver B.C. and supports
Amtrak operation of the passenger service with a stop at the
Edmonds train station.
Section 2. The City does not support the proposed
passenger and freight train speed limit increases for the following
reasons:
2.1. WSDOT and Burlington Northern (BN) has not
convinced the City that it absolutely needs the
passenger and freight train speed limit increases
in Edmonds to achieve the target run times.
2.2. The City is not convinced that the safety concerns
have been adequately addressed for the at -grade
rail crossings and along the railroad rights -of -way
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along the City's shorelines in light of both the
increase in train traffic and the proposed speed
limit increase.
2.3. The City is concerned about the impact of increased
train frequency and speed on an already hazardous
situation at Dayton Street (SR 104) and Main Street
(SR 104) where the rail traffic is at conflict with
the ferry traffic and that no upgrades are being
provided.
2.4. The City recognizes the proposed speed limit
increase is but the first step to future increases
and has not received full disclosure on how the
Phase 2 and 3 target run times will be achieved.
2.5. Though the proposed program is for passenger rail,
the real concern is freight rail and related safety
issues. The City feels there is a definite lack of
awareness and clarity of these issues and their
impacts on the citizenry. Further, the City needs
clarification on what measures are in place to
respond, if such were needed.
Section 3. WSDOT and the City are jointly committed to
protect the manmade and natural environment of the City's
waterfront and shoreline areas adjacent to the railroad tracks on
both publicly and privately owned properties.
Section 4. WSDOT and the City are jointly committed to
protect the safety of Edmonds' citizens along the railroad rights-
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of -way and WSDOT will provide appropriate signalization and other
safety features at all at -grade crossings within the City limits.
Section 5. WSDOT and the City are jointly committed to
minimize the noise disruptions, including train whistles, to City
residents.
Section 6. WSDOT, the City and the passenger and freight
carriers embark on a cooperative effort to maintain a balance
between the City's quality of life and the efficient movement of
people and goods along the railroad rights -of -way and that these
efforts be conveyed to the local citizenry via effective public
information programs.
RESOLVED thisz.:c4day of , 1991�/0
or
APPROVED:
MAY- , RA M, HALL
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED:
1RICONDA J. MARCH
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: 03/23/94
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: 04/05/94
RESOLUTION NO. 790
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