BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION THE BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE RAILWAY COMPANY Petitioner, CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON Respondent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) DOCKET NO. TR-010317 ORDER GRANTING PETITION FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF A GRADE CROSSING AT OLD GENE COULON DRIVE (SOUTHPORT BOULEVARD) D.O.T. 091725B W.U.T.C. 1FSA 1.00 BACKGROUND 1 On March 7, 2001, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company filed a petition with the Commission, seeking authority to reconstruct a highway-rail grade crossing. The crossing is located in Lot 1 of Section 8, Township 23 N, Range 5 E, W.M., at the intersection of Old Gene Coulon Drive (Southport Blvd.) and the petitioner’s tracks in Renton, 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, Old Gene Coulon Drive runs east-west and is classified as an urban local road, consisting of one lane for each direction of traffic. Average daily traffic through the crossing is estimated at 4,500 vehicles, including 180 trucks and 1 school bus trip. Old Gene Coulon Drive intersects with Lake Washington Blvd. approximately 60 feet east of the crossing, creating a “T” intersection. Because of this configuration, there are three approaches to the crossing: east-bound on Old Gene Coulon Drive; left turns onto Old Gene Coulon Drive from north-bound Lake Washington Blvd.; and right turns onto Old Gene Coulon from south-bound Lake Washington Blvd. Turning movements from Lake Washington Blvd. are considered approaches due to the close proximity of the grade crossing to Lake Washington Blvd. 4 Petitioner maintains a single spur track through the crossing. Average daily train traffic includes 2 trains per day, traveling at a maximum timetable speed of 10 mph. A BNSF main track is also located in the vicinity of the Old Gene Coulon Drive crossing. The main track crosses Lake Washington Blvd. immediately to the northwest of the spur crossing on Old Gene Coulon Drive. 5 Warning devices at the Old Gene Coulon Drive crossing include shoulder-mounted flashing light signals. A stop sign is located immediately east of the crossing at the Old Gene Coulon/Lake Washington Blvd. intersection, however, there are no stop signs at the grade crossing itself. 6 Reconstruction of the grade crossing is being proposed as part of a redevelopment project in the vicinity. The area to the west of the crossing will be redeveloped from industrial uses to a mixed use development, including residential, commercial, and office facilities. Old Gene Coulon Drive will be the main access to the new development. As a result of this development, traffic through the Old Gene Coulon Drive crossing is expected to increase to 15,000 vehicles per day by 2005. Road improvements that are being implemented in anticipation of the increases in vehicular traffic include widening Old Gene Coulon Drive from two to four lanes, thereby adding one additional east-bound and west-bound lane through the crossing. Road improvements on Lake Washington Blvd. that will affect the crossing include, the addition of a north-bound left-turn lane that will create one additional turning option into the crossing. South-bound Lake Washington Blvd. will have an additional through lane, but maintain one right-turn option into the crossing. In addition, highway traffic control signals will be installed at the Lake Washington/Old Gene Coulon intersection. 7 As part of the crossing reconstruction, the petitioner proposes to replace the existing warning devices with new equipment. For the east-bound approach, the petitioner proposes to install cantilever-mounted flashing light signals and gates. For the west-bound approaches, a shoulder-mounted signal with gates is proposed. The proposed highway traffic control signals at the Lake Washington/Old Gene Coulon intersection will be inter-tied to the railroad circuitry and will play an important role in controlling traffic through the crossing. 8 East-bound approach to the crossing The east-bound approach to the roadway intersection will consist of two lanes crossing the tracks. After crossing, motorists have to turn either left or right onto Lake Washington Blvd. When a train is approaching the crossing, the railroad warning signals and gates will activate, stopping all movements approaching the tracks. The inter-tie between the railroad circuitry and the highway traffic control signals will allow traffic east of the railroad warning signals to clear the intersection prior to the arrival of a train. 9 Left-turns from Lake Washington Blvd. North-bound Lake Washington Blvd. includes one dedicated left turn onto Old Gene Coulon, and one thru/left-turn option lane. Motorists turning left will cross the tracks approximately 60 feet after entering Old Gene Coulon Drive. Upon the approach of a train, the highway traffic control signals for north-bound Lake Washington Blvd. will cycle to red, prohibiting any left-turn or through movements. In addition, the proposed shoulder-mounted signal and gate for west-bound approaches to the crossing will activate, preventing vehicles from entering the crossing. 10 Right turns from Lake Washington Blvd. South-bound Lake Washington Blvd. will consist of one dedicated thru lane, and a right-turn/thru option lane. Upon the approach of a train, right-turns into the crossing will be stopped by the railroad warning signals and gate, as well as by the highway traffic control signal. 11 Finally, the surface improvements to Old Gene Coulon Drive will require that the grade crossing surface be upgraded from asphalt to concrete and lengthened to accommodate the widening of the roadway. 12 Commission Staff investigated the petition and recommend the petition be approved, subject to specified conditions. 13 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 14 THE COMMISSION GRANTS the petition of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company for reconstruction of a grade crossing, located at the intersection of Old Gene Coulon Drive (Southport Blvd.) and the petitioner’s tracks, subject to the following conditions: 1) The reconstruction and associated installations must conform to the plans filed in this proceeding. 2) Traffic control devices, pavement markings, and advance warning signs must comply with all applicable standards specified in the U.S. Department of Transportation Manual On Uniform Traffic Control Devices. 3) All devices must be installed in such a manner as to provide required clearances for both rail and vehicular traffic. 4) Upon completion of the reconstruction authorized herein, petitioner must notify the Commission. Acceptance of the changes 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. 15 Dated at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 14th day of February, 2001. THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION CAROLE J.WASHBURN, Secretary