BI 20 and UPRR Intersection Improvements, TxDOT Odessa District
Odessa, TX

IEA Inc. enhanced the safety of multiple railroad crossings in the Odessa District.

IEA was responsible for designing sidewalks, a traffic signal warrant study, signal design (including associated railroad signals), signing and pavement markings, a storm sewer design, and performing railroad coordination and utilities conflict analysis. BI 20 and UPRR track ran parallel, approximately 70-ft apart, with an open ditch separating them. At the Garfield Street intersection, there were issues with a steep grade, resulting in some vehicles “bottoming out” at the intersection. To address this, IEA adjusted the vertical profiles of the railroad crossing, ensuring safer passage for vehicles.

ADA: IEA made significant ADA improvements at the BI 20 intersections due to inadequate profile tie-down space before the intersection, including new sidewalks and signing and pavement markings.

Traffic: IEA designed traffic elements to improve 3 existing grade crossings. These improvements included significant regrading to eliminate existing humps at all 3 locations, geometric modifications, such as additional lanes, additional shoulders, and turning provisions. We designed the upgrades to bring signage up to TxMUTCD guidelines through conducting a signal pre-emption reevaluation and designing the upgrade of an existing quiet zone to bring it into compliance. IEA designed the conversion of 2 crossings to quiet zones.

Access Management: With the profile on BI 20 being raised about 4 ft, some of the existing driveways were affected. To mitigate this impact, IEA designed a short retaining wall and carefully reviewed the drainage impacts.

Railroad Coordination: IEA coordinated with UPRR on Exhibit A to get their input early in project development.