Fremont City Council Meeting: 05/12/26 07:00 PM
3300 Capitol Avenue Div/Dept: Public Works
Fremont, CA 94538 Category: Agreements and Contracts
SCHEDULED
Sponsors:
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT (ID # 5715) DOC ID: 5715
Updated: 5/8/2026 9:01 AM by Dina Lewis Page 1
Centerville Railroad Corridor Safety Improvement Project - Approval of a Professional Services Agreement with RailPros, in the amount of $1,001,312 (Including 10% Contingency), for Engineering and Quiet Zone Services for the Centerville Railroad Corridor Safety Improvement Project (PWC9071); Appropriation Actions; and Make Findings of CEQA Exemption Contact Persons:
Name: Jeanne Suyeishi Hans Larsen
Title: Principal Civil Engineer Public Works Director
Div/Dept: Public Works Public Works
Phone: 510-494-4728 510-494-4722
E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Executive Summary: The purpose of this report is to facilitate the final design of safety improvements at the railroad crossings along the corridor in the Centerville area of Fremont. This project will utilize grant funds from Alameda County Transportation Commission (CTC) to support timely completion of design for the Centerville Railroad Corridor Safety Improvement Project. The intent of the safety improvements is to support the establishment of a railroad quiet zone.
Background: Federal transportation safety policy requires the sounding of train horns in advance of at-grade crossings. In 2006, the Federal Highway Administration established the Use of Locomotive Horns at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings Final Rule (Quiet Zone). Local communities can enact a quiet zone if certain safety measures are provided, such as median islands at railroad crossings or 4-quadrant gates. When a traffic signal is located near a railroad crossing, special communication systems are required to coordinate the train detection system, the crossing gates, and the traffic signal to ensure that traffic is not backed up at the signal and across the tracks when the train is approaching.
At the December 21, 2021, meeting, City Council authorized staff to begin the process to establish a quiet zone corridor for the Centerville Railroad Corridor Safety Improvement Project consisting of crossings at Fremont Boulevard, Maple Avenue, Dusterberry Way, Blacow Road, Shinn Street, Clarke Drive, and two private crossings, in accordance with the requirements of 49 CFR Parts 222 and 229 - Use of Locomotive Horns at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings. City Council also authorized City Manager to Council Staff Report (ID # 5715) Meeting of May 12, 2026 Updated: 5/8/2026 9:01 AM by Dina Lewis Page 2
issue the Notice of Intent and Notice of Quiet Zone Establishment as required in the quiet zone establishment process.
On May 10, 2023, staff held a diagnostic meeting for this project with stakeholders from California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), UPRR, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Caltrans. The purpose of a diagnostic meeting is for the project stakeholders to review each at-grade crossing and agree on improvements needed before establishing a quiet zone.
At the July 15, 2025 meeting, City Council approved a Project Funding Agreement (PFA) with Alameda CTC for final design in the amount of $1.52 million and a reallocation of $25,000 in State gas tax (SB-1) funds for the project. The PFA was executed in August 2025. The PFA matching funds would be identified at the time of approval of the professional service agreement.
Discussion/Analysis: On February 17, 2026, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for final design services for the Centerville Rail Crossing Safety Enhancement Project. Three proposals were received on March 10, 2026, from the following firms, listed alphabetically:
EB Consulting, Kimley Horn and Associates, Inc. and RailPros, Inc. The proposals were evaluated by a selection panel comprised of City staff based on criteria that included relevant experience, project understanding, overall project approach, and project delivery schedule. RailPros was selected as the top-ranked firm based on qualifications and experience on similar projects.
Fiscal Impact: The Consultant fee for the design of the Centerville Railroad Corridor Safety Improvement Project is $910,284 with an additional $91,028 of contingency for a total fee amount of $1,001,312. The design fee for the Consultant will be funded with a portion of the $1,520,000 grant from Alameda CTC. The local grant match of $506,667 is needed for consultant services and City staff project management expenses. Staff recommends funding transfers in the amount of $195,000 from the Traffic Improvement Program (PWC7953, Fund 515 – Measure BB Local Streets); $90,000 from the Traffic Signal Upgrade and Program (PWC8931, Fund 531 - Traffic Impact Fees); $180,802 from the Fremont/Country Intersection Project (PWC9050, Fund 136 - Gas Tax); and $40,865 from the Fremont/Country Intersection project (PWC9050, Fund 531 - Traffic Impact Fee) to PWC9071.
Funds from Fremont/Country Intersection project are recommended to be reallocated since construction was completed in June 2025 and the project budget has a balance of unused funds. With the approval of the Council Staff Report (ID # 5715) Meeting of May 12, 2026 Updated: 5/8/2026 9:01 AM by Dina Lewis Page 3
recommended reallocation of funds to the project, there will be sufficient funds for the design consultant contract and to cover staff time for the Centerville Railroad Corridor Safety Improvements.
Environmental Review: Environmental review is not required because the recommended action is not a project within the meaning of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and 15378(b) as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility of a significant effect on the environment Appropriate environmental review will be prepared for this project as part of the professional services provided with this service agreement.
Recommendation: Approve the following actions related to the Centerville Railroad Corridor Safety Improvements (PWC9071):
1. Authorize the City Manager, or her designee, to execute a Professional Services Agreement with RailPros, Inc., in an amount
not-to-exceed $1,001,312 for design services.
2. Reallocate $195,000 from PWC7953-515 and appropriate it to PWC9071-515.
3. Reallocate $90,000 from PWC8931-531 and appropriate it to PWC9071-531.
4. Reallocate $180,802 from PWC9050-136 and appropriate it to PWC9050-136.
5. Reallocate $40,865 from PWC9050-531 and appropriate it to PWC9050-531.
6. Find that the actions are exempt from environmental review under CEQA Guidelines, Sections 15061 and 15378 (administrative and funding activities).