BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION


In the Matter of 


THE BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE RAILROAD COMPANY

                                      Petitioner,


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	)	DOCKET NO. TR-001697
		
		ORDER GRANTING PETITION FOR WAIVER OF CLEARANCE RULE
		
		

BACKGROUND

1 On October 9, 2000, The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company 
petitioned the Commission to waive its requirement for minimum side clearances 
of 8 feet 6 inches at the proposed commuter rail station at Tukwila, Washington 
between Mile Post 10.8X and 11.1X.  The purpose of the waiver is to allow 
construction of a fence between the double main line tracks to prevent 
commuters from crossing the tracks at dangerous locations.


 DISCUSSION

2 The distance between track centers is 14 feet 4 inches.  The clear distance 
from the fence to each track centerline will be 7 feet, but Commission rules 
require a clear distance of 8 feet 6 inches for a fence that is four feet high 
as proposed.

3 Commission staff  investigated the site and the reasons for the requested 
waiver.  The tracks cannot be moved  further apart at a reasonable cost because 
of the need for enormous amounts of fill and the requirement of  widening a 
bridge.  The fence is needed for user safety because passenger platforms must 
be built on both  sides of the right of way.  The main purpose for clearance 
rules is the safety of employees who ride the side of  a train during switching 
movements.  No switching occurs that requires use of the area where the fence 
is  proposed.  Signage at each end of the fence, and notice placed in the 
Superintendent’s notice or bulletin is  sufficient to protect employees in the 
area.

4 Commission Staff recommend the petition be granted, subject to specified 
conditions.

5 The Commissioners have reviewed the petition and have been fully advised in 
the matter.  They 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

6 THE COMMISSION GRANTS the petition of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe 
Railroad Company for waiver of the Commission’s rule for minimum side 
clearances of 8 feet 6 inches at the proposed commuter rail station at Tukwila, 
Washington between Mile Post 10.8X and 11.1X subject to the following 
conditions:

7 1) Vertical close clearance signs approved by Commission Staff will be 
erected at each end of the fence constructed at the commuter rail station.

2) Notice shall be placed in the Superintendent’s bulletin on a permanent basis 
warning of the close clearance problem at this location.

8 Dated at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 14th day of February, 2001.

THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION




       CAROLE J.WASHBURN, Secretary