Washington State approves funds for Auburn railroad crossings

Washington State regulators approved funding to improve the safety of traffic signals at three railroad crossings in Auburn, Wash., local media report. The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission approved $20,000 from the Grade Crossing Protection Fund for the City of Auburn to install battery backup power systems between the railroad and traffic signals at three crossings located in Auburn.  

Each crossing is located
within 150 feet of a BNSF railroad crossing. More than 30 freight and passenger
trains use these crossings daily. At these crossings, the lights and gates are
interconnected with the traffic signals to ensure vehicle traffic clear the
crossing before a train enters. The upgraded power system will guarantee
continuous service between the traffic signal and gates during a power outage.

The railroad crossings
are located at:

• West Main Street
and C Street Southwest

• 3rd Street and C Street
Northwest

• 37th Street and B
Street Northwest

The upgrades must be
completed by Dec. 31. State funding from the GCPF will not exceed the $20,000.
The approximate cost of the project is $39,600. Any additional costs for the
project will be covered by the city of Auburn.

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.