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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3346_CCv0001.pdf RESOLUTION NO. 3346 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDLANDS OPPOSING ABANDONMENT OF THE SAN BERNARDINO BRANCH BY THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC TRANSPORTATION COMPANY. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDLANDS does hereby resolve as follows : WHEREAS, the Southern Pacific Transportation Company has filed a request with the Interstate Commerce Commission for authority to abandon the San Bernardino branch line extending from" Street in San Bernardino to San Bernardino Avenue near Texas Street in Redlands (ICC Docket No. AB-12, Sub No. 55) ; WHEREAS, the requested abandonment will eliminate potential railroad service to an area zoned for manufacturing purposes which has great potential for development; and WHEREAS, the requested abandonment will eliminate railroad ser- vice to serve agricultural users who are striving to maintain their operations, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Redlands is opposed to the proposed abandonment and strongly urges the Interstate Commerce Commission to deny this request of the Southern Pacific Transportation Company. ADOPTED, SIGNED AND APPROVED this 19th. 'd4y of April, 1977. Mayor the ,City 9,f' e; la ATTEST: Crk i7 APPROVED rOR FORM: sl Edward F . Taylor City Attorney SEAT[ Of CAUTORNIA EDMUND G, BROWN JR„ G*Vernor CALIFORNIA_STATE TRANSPORTATION BOARD - 'OFFSCE OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY 1124 N STREET. P.O. BOX 1139 • °+tr SACRAMENTO.CALIrORN1A 43805 b .1 March 28, 1977 �- Proposed Abandonml-nt of the San Bernardino Branch by the Southern pacific Transportation Company TCC Docket No. AB--12 (Sub No. 55) Enclosed for your information and pursuant to Section 13990 .10 of the Government Code are the findings and recommendations of the State Transportation Board, with respect to alternative transportation uses of 7. 28 miles of railroad right of way in San Bernardino County. This matter was brought to your attention for, a cooperative study with the Board in my letter to you on Deccr.:ber 27, 1976 . Sincerely, THOMAS G. MURPHEY Assistant to the Executive Secretary Encolsure BEFORE THE STATE TRANSPORTATION BOARD OF THE ,STA.TE, OF CALIFORIIIA r The natter of the Southern Pacific Transportation Company' s proposed abandonment of e portion of the Sin Bernardino Branch in San Bernardino County March 17, 1977 Interstate Commerce Commission Docket No. AB-12 (Sub. No. 55) ANALYSIS INTRODUCTION The State Transportation Board is required, by Government Code Section 113990.10 added by Chapter 774, Statutes of 19?2, to r.ij deteine possible alternativ+'e transportation uses of rail lines j proposed. for abandonment. Can November 977 Mr. William S. Webor, ecutive Secretary � of the St ate T.-,LnCportation Board , received notification of a proposed a2anc:c 'lient of a branch line in San Bernardino County, ! Me applicant is the Southern Pacific Tr,�nrportation Cor-;)any � which recite sts a certificate of public convenienCe and necessity from the 'Inter. staste Corenerce Commission to authorize this � abandonment. T"his application is identified as ICC Docket No. AB-12 (Sub. 140. 55). LOCATION The branch line of railroad proposed for abandonment extends from railroad milepost 542 . 09, in San Bernardino, at E Street , in an easterly direction to milepost 549. 37 near North Redlands , a distance of 7 . 28 miles in San Bernardino County , California. This One includes the stations of Norton Air Force Base, Marigold, Crown Jewel, and North Redlands . BACKGROUND The Southern Pacific Transportation Company branch line that is proposed for abandonment has two (2) bridges at Warm Creek Flood Control Channel , and three (3) bridges at the Santa Ana River , eighteen (1 8) culverts , nineteen (19) public at grade crossings (5 with automatic warning systems) and twenty-six (2 6) private at grade crossings. There is no connection to other railroads , no passenger se vice , and no scheduled service of any kind . There are 16. 23- acres Involved in the proposed abandonment . Southern Pacific Transportation Company holds clear title to 6. 66+ acres and limited title to 9. 56 acres . Land use In the area is residential, light commercial and citrus agriculture. In their application for abandonment , the Southern Pacific Transportation Company indicated that the traffic on the branch line has fallen far short of a profitable level . The traffic in 1.973 was 157 cars , 42 cars in 1974, and In 1975 there were 128 cars, carrying 4 ,675 tons. INVESTIGATION A field inspection of the proposed abandonment indicates that the track is seldom used . The majority of the facilities are in good repair. From milepost 542. 09 to 543 . 00+ the track is down the center of a main street in San Bernardino, Rialto Avenue. There are spur tracks at Norton Air Force Base , milepost 543. 0+; Southern California Edison, milepost 546. 0+; United- Southern Citurs Growers , milepost 548 . 0+ ; and Redlands Heights Citrus Company, milepost 549. 2+. The four shippers were contacted as to alternative trahsportation uses 'that may be made of the right-of-way, should the interstate Commerce Commission grant approval of the proposed abandonment . The Sunkist Growers , Inc . have filed a protest on behalf of the Redlands Heights and UnIted-Southern Citrus Growers . REPLIES FROM AFFECTED PUBLIC ENTITIES AND UTILITIES Various public entities and utilities were notified of the proposed abandonment and their comments and participation toward identifying possible alternative transportation uses of the facility were solicited. The following is a summary of the comments received from various agencies. o San Bernardino Associated Governments, SANBAG The San Bernardino Associated Governments voted to oppose the abandonment of the Southern Pacific Transportation Company' s branch line between San Bernardino and Redlands unless the Atchison , Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company could be persuaded to extend its line into the area to provide for shipping customers. Redlands Councilman , Chres ten Knudsen, said his City' s main concern is for retaining rail service for two Redlands area citrus packing houses. 0 County of San Bernardino (Response by telephone ) Feel that the area proposed for abandonment could be used for bikeway, equestrian and pedestrian trails , connecting the Cities of Redlands and San Bernardino . o City of Redlands The City Director of Public Works suggested that a portion of the proposed abandonment would be of interest to Caltrans in that it could allow them to alter the design of proposed Route 30 to where a substnntial savings in construction cost could be realized. o California Department of Transportation, District 08 Project Development supports the abandonment of the branch line between San Bernardino and Redlands. If the line is abandoned , the profile grade of the proposed Route 30 freeway can be lowereQ,, realizing a substantial savings in embankment and structure cost. o Department of the Air Force , Norton Air Force Base Have no known plans requiring the use of this branch line or sn9cestions for alternative transportation Use. 0 East San Bernardino County Water District The East San Bernardino County Water District Directors unanimously voted to go on record that this right of way be considered for pedestrian, bicycle , and equestrian use. : o Southern California Edison Company, Redlands Mr. D. F. Lolly, Service Planner, Redlands office, stated that the abandonment will have no effect on Edison facilities. o Southern California Edison Company, Long Beach Has no immediate or future use for the proposed branch line to be abandoned. However, Edison does biaint-ain a 115KV transmission line along the area to be abandoned and ask that rights be reserved for their facility within or across the right of way to be abandoned'. 0 Shell Oil Company Have no facilities or suggestions for alternative transportation uses. FINDINGS The Board finds that the County of San Bernardino , East. San Bernardino County later District and the California Department of Transportation , Caltrans, have identified potential- uses for the right of way of the Southern Pacific Tramsportation Company' s San Bernardino branch line foi', Bikeways , equestrian and hiking trails and freeway construction. The County of Sm Bernardino, East San Bernardino County Water Di.strict and. the California Department of Transportation, Caltrans, have interest in. the' preservation of the right of way of the San Bernardino branch line for transvortation purposes. RMOMMIENDATIOU The Board recommends : that should the Interstate Commerce Commission approve the abandonment , and should the Gotnty of San Bernardino , East San Bernardino County Water District or the California Department of Tr.mnsportation choose to use the right of way for bicycle paths, pedestrian and equestrian trails or freeway construction, negotiations could be entered into by these agencies with the Southern Pacific Transportation Company. Attested vo - JIUcIUS , e Transportation Board William S. Weber Executive Secretary 4 0 4L4 SAN RML PR OPOSED k NC H 0 Ir- ra RINA^D;N", ii ABANDONMENT L SARFDLANDSN BERNARD N-Q Al 14 L LOtLIND �A iON '7TATION COAPA NY i Z & SOUTHERN PACIFIC TRANSPOP DONMENT PROPOSED ABAN _rl lj�/�Hl 47TL i� ICC Docket No. AB-12 (Sub No. 55) Abandonment of a Portion of the Son Bernardino Bmnch, Son Bernardino County, California