Washington state to improve 98 crossings through Grade Crossing Protective Fund grants

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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Washington state regulators have approved nearly $18,000 for rail safety upgrades at 98 railroad crossings in Grant, Franklin, Adams, Yakima and Benton counties.

 

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) approved a Grade Crossing Protective Fund (GCPF) grant at the request of the Columbia Basin Railroad (CBRR) and approved a GCPF grant at the request of the Central Washington Railroad (CWR).

CBRR will receive $9,863 to replace crossbucks and crossbuck posts, replace or install yield or stop signs and install reflective tape at each crossing. In addition, CBRR will install “Tracks Out of Service” signs at 16 crossings.

CWR will receive $8,427 to replace crossbucks and crossbuck posts, replace or install yield or stop signs, and install reflective tape at each crossing.

By 2019, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requires a yield or stop sign at any crossing that does not have active warning signals. The proposed upgrades will meet this requirement. The FHWA also requires reflective crossbuck signs and tape to improve nighttime visibility and advise motorists of an approaching crossing. Yield or stop signs make it clear to motorists what is expected of them when approaching a passive crossing.

The upgrades must be completed by May 30, 2015. CWR and CBRR will pay for labor costs associated with these projects.

 

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