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.