BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD  ) DOCKET NO.  TR-000023
COMPANY    )
     )
   Petitioner, )         ORDER GRANTING PETITION TO
     ) UPGRADE WARNING DEVICES
     ) AT 37TH STREET NW IN AUBURN
v.     ) 
     )
CITY OF AUBURN   )
     ) W.U.T.C.  6R 164.03
   Respondent, ) D.O.T.  396 587K
.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .    )


  By petition filed with the Commission on January 6, 2000, The Union Pacific 
Railroad Company seeks authority for the upgrade of warning devices at the 
intersection of 37th Street NW and the petitioner’s tracks, located in the NW 
1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section 1, Township 21N, Range 4E, W.M. in Auburn, 
Washington.

  Respondent has consented to the entry of an order by the Commission without 
further notice or hearing.

  In the vicinity of the crossing, 37th Street is classified as a minor 
arterial, with a speed limit of 45 mph and two lanes for each direction of 
traffic.  Daily traffic through the crossing consists of 7057 vehicles, 
including 141 trucks and 18 school bus trips.  Projected traffic by 2001 is 
expected to reach 7339 vehicles.

  Petitioner maintains a single main line track. Daily train traffic through 
the crossing averages 19 freight trains.  The legal or operating maximum train 
speed is 55 mph for all trains.

  Currently, the warning devices in use at the crossing include 
cantilever-mounted flashing light signals and crossbucks.  The proposed 
upgrades to the warning devices include replacing the existing old style 
cantilevers with  new “walk-out” type cantilevers, and the addition of 
automatic gates.  In consideration of the high traffic volumes for both highway 
and railway, the upgrade is being proposed in the interest of improved safety 
to the motoring public.

  Commission staff has investigated the petition and has recommended that the 
petition be approved, subject to specified conditions.

  The Commissioners, having reviewed the petition and being fully advised in 
the matter, believe that granting the petition, subject to the conditions set 
forth below, is in the public interest and direct the Secretary to issue the 
order.

ORDER

THE COMMISSION GRANTS the petition of the Union Pacific Railroad 
Company for the upgrade of warning devices at the intersection of 37th Street 
NW and the petitioner’s tracks at or near railroad milepost 164.03 in Auburn, 
Washington, subject to the following conditions:

  1.  The installations shall conform to the specifications filed in this 
proceeding.

  2.  All devices shall be erected in such a manner as to provide required 
clearances for both rail and vehicular traffic.

3. Traffic control devices shall comply with all applicable standards
specified in the U.S. Department of Transportation Manual On Uniform Traffic 
Control Devices.

  4. Upon completion of the upgrades authorized herein, petitioner shall
report completion to the Commission.  Acceptance of the installations are 
subject to a compliance inspection and report by Commission staff verifying 
that the upgrades are in full compliance with law and regulation and the 
conditions specified herein.


  Dated at Olympia, Washington, and effective this      day of January, 2000

WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION





      CAROLE J. WASHBURN, Secretary