For Immediate Release                              
 Nov. 13, 1998 TR-961002/No. 13   
                                              
Proposed settlement agreement reached in Winlock rail crossing closure

 Olympia, WA. - On October 21, 1998, a proposed settlement agreement was signed 
by Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad Company (BNSF), the City of Winlock, 
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), and the Washington 
Utilities and Transportation Commission Staff (WUTC) regarding the current 
proposal to close the Walnut Street railroad crossing.

 The proposed settlement agreement allows the Walnut Street railroad crossing 
to remain open and receive some needed improvements, such as reducing the 
hazard for low-clearance trucks.  At the same time, the proposal calls for the 
Campbell Street crossing to be closed to vehicular traffic and converted to a 
private pedestrian-only crossing.  The Campbell Street Crossing will be left 
open to vehicular traffic until the construction and repairs are completed on 
the Walnut Street Crossing.  The agreement also proposes to fix the drainage 
problem that occurs between Fir and Campbell streets.  

 Also in the agreement, BNSF would petition the commission to increase freight 
and passenger train speeds through Winlock to the federally approved speeds of 
60 mph for freight trains and 79 mph for passenger trains depending on curve 
restrictions.  The City of Winlock has agreed not to oppose this petition once 
all repairs and safety improvements have been completed.

 The City of Winlock has agreed to enact city ordinances prohibiting the use of 
the Walnut Street crossing by any low-clearance trucks and would also pass an 
ordinance to prohibit trespassing on the railroad by pedestrians.  These 
ordinances will include appropriate penalties for violation and will be 
enforced by the City of Winlock. This agreement calls for WSDOT, BNSF and the 
City of Winlock to start construction by no later than the summer of 1999.

 There will be a public hearing to address both the proposed settlement 
agreement and the closure of the Campbell Street crossing.  The meeting is 
scheduled at 6:30 p.m., Monday Nov. 23 at the Olequa Senior Center, 119 S.W. 
Kerron Avenue in Winlock.  If you would like to comment, but can not attend the 
public hearing, please write to Secretary, of the WUTC at P.O. Box 47250, 
Olympia, WA, 98504 or you may e-mail at penny@wutc.wa.gov no later than 
November 20, 1998.  

 If you have any questions about the commission's process, you may contact the 
commission at 1-800-562-6150.  

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