UTC Approves Safety Upgrades in Yakima and Walla Walla Counties
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
LACEY, Wash. – UTC approves Grade Crossing Protective Fund grants for rail safety upgrades in Washington.
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission has approved rail safety upgrades in Yakima County and Walla Walla County. In Yakima County, $72,000 from the Grade Crossing Protective Fund will go toward safety upgrades at nine public railroad crossings. These upgrades include replacing crossing signal batteries and battery chargers between Toppenish and White Swan. Below is a list of the nine crossings:
- State Route 97
- Wesley Road
- South Wapato Road
- Signal Peak Road
- Curtis Street
- West White Swan Road
- Barkes Road
- Brownstown Road
- Lateral A Road
Additionally, $104,500 from the Grade Crossing Protective Fund will go toward safety improvements at seven crossings in Walla Walla County. These include replacing train detection equipment along the Columbia-Walla Walla Railroad and College Place. The seven crossings affected are Last Chance Road and Prospect Avenue in Walla Walla County; Myra Road, Poplar Street, Rose Street, and Tietan Street in Walla Walla; and Wallula Avenue in College Place.
