Washington state approves funds to upgrade 59 crossings in five counties

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

Washington state regulators approved funding for safety upgrades at 59 railroad crossings in Spokane, Whitman, Grant, Adams and King counties.

 

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) approved a Grade Crossing Protective Fund (GCPF) grant at the request of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). WSDOT owns the railroad line in Spokane and Whitman counties and contracts with Washington & Idaho Railway (WIR), which operates over the tracks.

WSDOT will receive $12,250 to replace crossbucks and crossbuck posts, install or replace yield and stop signs, replace multiple track signs and install reflective tape at the public crossings.

The upgrades must be completed by May 30, 2015 and WIR will cover labor costs associated with this project.

In Grant and Adams counties, UTC approved $60,000 in GCPF grants following requests from the Columbia Basin Railroad (CBR).

Two Grant County crossings near Moses Lake, State Route 17 and M Road SE, will receive $20,000 each to help pay for replacement of batteries and upgrades to train detection. A third crossing in Adams County at Booker Road near Royal City will receive $20,000 for similar improvements.

The upgrades to train detection will improve safety by warning pedestrians and motorists of approaching trains. The batteries will improve the reliability of these active warning devices in the event of a power failure at the crossing.

The upgrades must be completed by June 15, 2015 and CBR will cover additional costs associated with the projects.

In King County, UTC approved a GCPF grant at the request of the Northwest Railway Museum (NRM). NRM operates an interpretive railway program called the Snoqualmie Valley Railroad, which transports nearly 47,000 passengers per year.

NRM will receive $1,750 to replace crossbucks and crossbuck posts, install yield and emergency notification signs, replace multiple track signs and install reflective tape at seven public crossings on its line in Snoqualmie and North Bend.

The upgrades must be completed by May 15, 2015. The total cost of materials for the project is $2,602. NRM will pay additional material and labor costs associated with this project.

 

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