State approves funds to improve rail safety throughout Washington State
Written by jrood
State regulators approved funds to improve the safety of 165 railroad crossings throughout Washington State. The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) approved $35,250 from the Grade Crossing Protection Fund (GCPF) for BNSF to replace or install yield or stop signs, wood posts with retro-reflective tape, retro-reflective cross buck signs and emergency notification signs statewide. The UTC also approved $6,000 from the GCPF for Pend Oreille Valley Railroad to make the same improvements to 24 crossings in Pend Oreille County.
The upgrades come in
response to the Federal Highway Administration revised Manual on Uniform
Traffic Control Devices requiring yield or stop signs on all passively
protected public rail crossings by 2019. It also requires retro-reflective
cross buck signs and tape on cross buck signposts by 2012. The retro-reflective
cross buck signs and tape on posts improve nighttime visibility warning
motorists of an approaching crossing.
BNSF’s statewide upgrades
to their main line crossings must be completed by June 30, 2011. The state is
contributing $35,250 and BNSF is contributing $67,950 toward the cost of the
upgrades.
Pend Oreille Valley
Railroad’s upgrades are focused at crossings located within Pend Oreille
County. The state is contributing $6,000 and Pend Oreille Valley Railroad is
contributing $580 toward the cost of the upgrades. The upgrades must be completed
by Dec. 31, 2010.
The Legislature created
the GCPF in 1969 to provide money for safety measures designed to decrease the
potential for accidents and fatalities at public and private crossings and
along railroad tracks in the state. The UTC administers the fund.
The UTC is the state agency
responsible for railroad safety, including approving new grade crossings and
closing or altering existing rail crossings.
