BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

CITY OF PALOUSE   ) DOCKET NO. TR-991986
     )
  Petitioner,  ) ORDER GRANTING PETITION TO 
     ) RECONSTRUCT A GRADE
     ) CROSSING SURFACE AT 
     ) SR-27(BRIDGE ST.)
PALOUSE RIVER &   )
COULEE CITY RAILROAD  )
     ) W.U.T.C. 36A .15
  Respondent,  ) D.O.T. 857869B
.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .     )

BACKGROUND

  By petition filed with the Commission on December 21, 1999, the City of 
Palouse seeks authority to reconstruct a grade crossing at the intersection of 
SR-27 (Bridge Street) and the tracks of the Palouse River & Coulee City 
Railroad, located in Section 1, Township 16, Range 45 E, in the Willamette 
Meridian.

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

DISCUSSION

  In the vicinity of the crossing, SR-27 is classified as a rural major 
collector, and has a maximum vehicle speed limit of 25 mph.  Estimated daily 
traffic through the crossing is 2,400 vehicles, including 200 trucks.

  Respondent maintains a single main track through the crossing.  Average daily 
train traffic is 1 train not exceeding 8 mph.

  The asphalt surface of the SR-27 crossing is currently very rough due to the 
presence of pot holes, broken sections and uneven areas within the crossing 
surface, and the roadway approaches being in a similar state of disrepair.  
Proposed upgrades to the crossing surface include improvements to the 
structural base, roadway approach improvements, and replacement of the existing 
planking with new concrete planking.

  Commission Staff, having investigated the petition, 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.

DOCKET TR-991986       Page 2

ORDER

THE COMMISSION GRANTS the petition of the City of Palouse for
the
reconstruction of a grade crossing surface at the intersection of SR-27 (Bridge 
Street) and the tracks of the Palouse River & Coulee City Railroad at or near 
railroad milepost .15, subject to the following conditions:

  1.  All construction and installation shall conform to the plans filed in 
this proceeding.

  2.  The roadway grade for a distance of 25 feet on each side of the 
centerline of the railway at the crossing shall be level.

  3.  The Crossing shall be hard surfaced between the rails and for a distance 
of at least one foot outside of each rail for the full width of the traveled 
roadway, including the sidewalk.

  4.  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.

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

  Dated at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 10th day of March, 2000.

WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION





      CAROLE J. WASHBURN, Secretary