BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

CITY OF PALOUSE   ) DOCKET NO. TR-991987
     )
  Petitioner,  ) ORDER GRANTING PETITION TO 
     ) RECONSTRUCT A GRADE
     )  CROSSING 
     ) SURFACE AT SR-27 (McGREGOR’S)
PALOUSE RIVER &   )
COULEE CITY RAILROAD  )
     ) W.U.T.C.  39D 59.50
  Respondent,  ) D.O.T.       0857869B
   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .  )

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 (McGregor’s) 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 1,080 vehicles, including approximately 100 
trucks.

  Respondent maintains a single main track through the crossing.  Average daily 
train traffic is 1 train not exceeding 10 mph.

  The asphalt surface of the SR-27 crossing is described by the City as “broken 
and uneven, with poor roadway approaches.” The roadway approaches consist of a 
5% north-bound ascending grade, and a 1% south-bound descending grade. Proposed 
upgrades to the crossing surface include improvements to the structural base of 
the crossing surface, roadway reconstruction that will improve the approach 
grades to the crossing, 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.

  

DOCKET TR-991987       Page 2

  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 City of Palouse for the
reconstruction of a grade crossing surface at the intersection of SR-27 
(McGregor’s) and the tracks of the Palouse River & Coulee City Railroad at or 
near railroad milepost 59.50, 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