7.10.1 Exhibit A

The Exhibit A is a procedural document related to the development of a C&M Agreement between the department and the railroad. The C&M Agreement must be executed before a project can be awarded to a contractor.
An Exhibit A design is an Initial(30%) design or more
completed 12 or more months in advance
 of the Sealed(100%) plans showing work to be performed within the railroad’s ROW. Information must include:
  • Title sheet with Index of Sheets (not required on replanking projects);
  • Project layout sheet;
  • Active warning device forms (if installing or modifying};
  • Signing and striping forms (if not shown with active warning devices);
  • Traffic signal layouts and phasing forms (if preemption is involved);
  • Plan view of conduits, pipes, and culverts under track forms;
  • Planking layout (if installing or modifying);
  • Bridge or roadway plan and profile;
  • Rail survey (bridge projects; out to 1000 feet on both sides of bridge on overpass projects and out to 1500 feet on both sides of bridge on underpass projects;
  • Roadway typical sections (planking and construction projects);
  • Rail typical sections (planking and underpass projects);
  • Ditch cross sections on 100-foot centers (joint drainage projects); and
  • Railroad requirements sheets (construction projects).
For a bridge project involving a railroad, Exhibit A includes the bridge layout with some additional information of interest to the railroad owner. Final Exhibit A must be signed, sealed, and dated by a licensed Texas Professional Engineer.
Maintenance-type project scopes with minimal impacts to railroad ROW are handled by a Letter Agreement. A few of the project types are:
  • Minor bridge repair and inspection;
  • Mowing;
  • Overlays;
  • Seal coats; and
  • Surveying.
A Construction & Management Agreement is far more extensive for heavy construction within the railroad ROW.
Texas Railroad Information Management System (TRIMS) is a GPS and GIS-based data collection, inventory, and project management tool. The web-based Rich Internet Application (RIA) can be used to gather site data with a field computer, GPS unit, and digital camera. This system provides comprehensive railroad information to the designer.
Considerations when designing railroad crossings include:
  • Evaluate existing at-grade crossings for field panel conditions and/or “humped” crossing that can cause long wheelbase vehicles to get stuck on the crossing;
  • Obtain train traffic frequency and speed from the railroad company or through department internal TRIMS database;
  • Obtain railroad company’s design standards prior to project design development (available on TxDOT.gov Railroad Design Guidelines webpage);
  • Ensure railroad Agreement provisions are included in the Sealed PS&E; and
  • Projects will not be let until the railroad Construction & Maintenance (C&M) Agreement or Letter Agreement has been fully executed or with an approved Construction Management Plan (see
    Section 8.2.2.1
    ).
Contact RRD at least 24 months before letting for railroad overpasses (new or modified), and 48 months before letting for railroad underpasses (new or modified) to coordinate rail planning and obtain a Construction & Maintenance Agreement.