BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION,

Petitioner,

vs.

SEDRO-WOOLLEY, WASHINGTON
AND
THE BURLINGTON NOTHERN SANTA FE RAILROAD COMPANY,

Respondents
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 	)
	)
	)
	)
	)
	)
	)
	)
	)
	)
	)
	)
	)
	)
	)
	)
	)	
		DOCKET TR-001213
		
		ORDER GRANTING PETITION TO INSTALL “EXEMPT” SIGNS AT THE TOWNSHIP ROAD 
HIGHWAY-RAIL GRADE CROSSING
		
		D.O.T. 085016G
		
		W.U.T.C. 2C 22.00

BACKGROUND

1 On August 10, 2000, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
 filed a petition on its own motion seeking authority to direct the 
installation of “Exempt” signs at a grade   crossing.  The crossing is located 
at the intersection of the tracks of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad  
Company (BNSF) and Township Road, in Sedro-Woolley, Washington.

2 The Respondents consented to the entry of an order by the Commission without 
further notice or hearing.

DISCUSSION

3 Township Road, in the vicinity of the crossing, is classified as a rural major
 collector, with approximately 1,000 vehicles that use the crossing daily.  The 
crossing is also part of a   designated bus route for school buses that serve 
the surrounding 
 communities.

4 The track intersecting Township Road is a spur that is owned by BNSF.  The 
track is overgrown with   vegetation and ends 330 feet east of the Township 
Road crossing. Representatives of BNSF acknowledged  that the track is inactive 
and that the railroad does not intend to resume operations on the line.  
Furthermore,  BNSF expressed interest in removing the segment of track that 
crosses Township Road in the future, when  funding for the removal is available.

 
5 The crossing is equipped with passive warning devices, including crossbucks 
and advance warning signs.   Regardless of the fact that the track is not 
active, RCW 46.61.350 directs that school buses, other buses  carrying 
passengers for hire, and transporters of hazardous materials must stop at all 
passive highway-rail  grade crossings except “...Any railroad grade crossing at 
which an official traffic control device as designated  by the Utilities and 
Transportation Commission pursuant to RCW 81.53.060 (Exempt sign) gives notice 
that  the stopping requirement imposed by this section does not apply.” 

6 Drivers of buses that are currently required to make stops at the Township 
Road crossing have requested that  the Commission direct the installation of 
Exempt signs due to the unnecessary nature of the stopping   requirement at the 
crossing.  The installation of Exempt signs will relieve buses and other 
vehicles required to  stop at the crossing of this obligation and would 
contribute to the improved flow of traffic in the vicinity.

7 Commission Staff filed this petition upon an investigation of a request from 
bus drivers that serve the vicinity  where the crossing is located, and 
recommended that the installation be directed.

8 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

9 THE COMMISSION GRANTS the petition for installation of Exempt signs 
 at the highway-rail grade crossing located at the intersection of Township 
Road and the Tracks of the   Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad Company in 
Sedro-Woolley, Washington, designated as WUTC 2C  22.00, subject to the 
following conditions:

1. The railroad must install an R15-3 sign, bearing the word “EXEMPT” below the 
crossbuck signs for each approach, as specified in the U.S. Department of 
Transportation Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

2. The road authority must install a supplemental W10-1a sign, bearing the word 
“EXEMPT” below the crossbuck signs for each approach, as specified in the U.S. 
Department of Transportation Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

   3.  Upon completing the installation herein authorized, Respondents must
report completion to the Commission.  Acceptance of the installation is subject 
to an inspection and report by the Commission, verifying that the installation 
is in full compliance with law and regulation, and the conditions specified 
herein.
 
 Dated at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 8th day of November, 2000.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



       CAROLE J. WASHBURN, Secretary