WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON 
                          Petitioner,
                 vs.
BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE RAILWAY COMPANY
                          Respondent
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	)	DOCKET NO. TR-001698
		ORDER GRANTING PETITION FOR RELOCATION OF WARNING DEVICES AT NE 8TH STREET
		D.O.T.         091766F
		W.U.T.C.         1F 12.60
            BACKGROUND 
1          On November 3, 2000, the City of Bellevue filed a petition with the 
Commission, seeking authority to relocate  warning devices at a highway-rail 
grade crossing. The crossing is located in the NW 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of  section 
33, township 25N, range 5E, W.M., at the intersection of NE 8th Street and the 
respondent's tracks  in Bellevue, Washington.
2          Respondent has consented to an entry of an Order by the Commission 
without further notice or hearing.
 DISCUSSION 
3          In the vicinity of the crossing, NE 8th Street is classified as a 
major arterial, consisting of six lanes and a   vehicle speed limit of 30 mph. 
Average daily traffic through the crossing is estimated at 35,700 vehicles. 
4          Respondent maintains a single main track through the crossing. 
Average daily train traffic includes four trains  operating at a maximum speed 
of 25 MPH. 
5          The crossing is currently equipped with cantilever-mounted flashing 
lights and gates. Since the crossing   consists of six lanes (three lanes in 
each direction), median gates are used to supplement the primary gate  
mechanisms in order to fully cover the traveled roadway. 
6         NE 8th Street intersects with 116th Avenue approximately 380 feet 
west of the crossing. In order to increase  capacity for left turns onto 116th 
Avenue, the City of Bellevue is planning to construct an additional left turn  
lane on west-bound NE 8th Street. The proposal requires that NE 8 th Street be 
widened on the north side to  accommodate the lane, which will taper eastward 
and end approximately 50 feet east of the crossing. 
7          In order to accommodate the roadway taper associated with the 
addition of the lane, the petitioner proposes  to relocate the warning signals 
and gate mechanism, on the north 
8         side of NE 8th Street, six feet to the north. Though the roadway will 
be widened through the crossing, it will  not create additional lanes through 
the crossing or require that the crossing surface be modified. 
9          Commission Staff investigated the petition and recommend that the 
petition be granted, subject to specified  conditions.
10          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 
11          THE COMMISSION GRANTS the petition of the City of Bellevue the 
relocation of warning devices at a  grade crossing, located at the intersection 
of NE 8 th Street and the tracks of the Burlington Northern Santa  Fe Railroad 
Company, subject to the following conditions:
12      1) The relocation must conform to the plans filed in this proceeding. 
          2)Traffic control devices, pavement markings, and advance warning 
signs shall comply with all applicable  standards specified in the U.S. 
Department of Transportation Manual On Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
          3) After the signal and gate are relocated, the gates must be of 
sufficient length to cover the full width of the  traveled roadway.
          4) Upon completion of the relocation authorized herein, petitioner 
must notify the Commission. Acceptance of  the installation is subject to a 
compliance inspection and report by Commission staff, verifying that the grade  
crossing is in full compliance with law and regulation and the conditions 
specified herein.
13          Dated at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 29th day of 
November, 2000.
14          THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
                                                                                
                            
                                                              CAROLE 
J.WASHBURN, Secretary