BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
THE BURLINGTON NORTHERN                  )         DOCKET NO. TR-000646 
AND SANTA FE RAILROAD                    )
COMPANY                                               )         ORDER GRANTING 
PETITION TO 
                                                        )         UPGRADE 
WARNING DEVICES 
                          Petitioner,                     )         AT 37th 
Street N.W.
                                                        )         
AUBURN, WASHINGTON                            )
                                                        )         WUTC 1E 19.20
                          Respondent                    )         DOT 085647H
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
.         )
BACKGROUND
                  On May 1, 2000, the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroad 
Company filed a petition with the Commission, seeking authority to upgrade 
warning devices and reconstruct a grade crossing. The crossing is located at 
the intersection of the petitioner's tracks and 37th Street N.W. in the NE 1/4 
of the NE 1/4 of Section 1, Township 21N, Range 4E, W.M. in Auburn, Washington.
                  Respondent has consented to an entry of an order by the 
Commission without further notice or hearing.
DISCUSSION 
                  The petitioner maintains two mainline tracks through the 
crossing and plans to install a third main track at a future date. Daily train 
traffic through 37 th Street N.W. includes 36 freight trains and 8 passenger 
trains, running at a maximum speeds of 50 mph and 75 mph respectively. The 
proposed upgrade is associated with anticipated increases in train speeds and 
the future addition of commuter rail service between Seattle and Tacoma that 
will increase the number of trains as well as account for trains traveling at 
varied speeds through the crossing. 
                 
                  The crossing is equipped with cantilever-mounted flashing 
lights and gates. The petitioner proposes to install constant warning train 
detection circuitry that will allow for improved train detection, including the 
ability to detect trains approaching the crossing at various speeds and adjust 
the timing for the associated warning signals accordingly. In preparation for 
the anticipated increases in train speeds and volumes in the vicinity and the 
future addition of the third main track, the new equipment will contribute to a 
more reliable warning system at the crossing.
             Commission Staff have investigated the petition and have 
recommended that the petition be approved, subject to specified conditions.
                  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
                  THE COMMISSION GRANTS the petition of the Burlington Northern 
and Santa Fe Railroad Company for the reconstruction and upgrades to the grade 
crossing located at the intersection of the petitioner's tracks and 37th Street 
N.W. in Auburn, Washington, subject to the following conditions: 
                  1) The upgrades must conform to the plans filed in this 
proceeding.
                  2) Warning devices must comply with all applicable standards 
specified in the U.S. Department of Transportation Manual On Uniform Traffic 
Control Devices.
                  3) Prior to installation of the new equipment, petitioner 
must coordinate with Commission Staff to assess the possibility of reusing the 
equipment being replaced at other grade crossings in the State.
                  4) Upon completion of the reconstruction and upgrades 
authorized herein, petitioner must report completion to 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.
         Dated at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 30th day of August, 
2000.
WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
                                                              CAROLE J. 
WASHBURN, Secretary