BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

COLUMBIA BASIN RAILROAD,      )  DOCKET NO. TR-010385
      )
      )  ORDER GRANTING PETITION 
 Petitioner,    )  TO UPGRADE WARNING 
      )  DEVICES AND AUTHORIZING
Vs.      )  EXPENDITURE FROM GRADE
      )  CROSSING PROTECTIVE FUND
GRANT COUNTY,    )
      )  WUTC NO.  34D 3.10
      )
 Respondent.    )  DOT NO. 089846Y
…………………………………….……….. )


BACKGROUND

The Columbia Basin Railroad Co. (Railroad) filed a petition on March 16, 2001, 
requesting authority to change the warning devices and circuitry at the 
crossing located at “U” SE-N Road located in Grant County, Washington.   The 
Railroad further requests the Commission to authorize an expenditure from the 
Grade Crossing Protective Fund to pay for 60% of the project cost.  The 
remainder of the cost will be paid pursuant to agreement between the parties.

DISCUSSION

 Commission Staff investigated the petition.  The crossing currently has two 
cross bucks with cantilever and shoulder mounted eight-inch flashing lights.  
The detection circuitry is a Safetrans MS-350 model.  Twelve-inch flashing 
lights provide much greater visibility and are the industry standard.  The 
MS-350 is obsolete; and repair parts are not available.  The MS-585 model, or 
its equivalent, is needed for this crossing.  Also, a shunting enhancement 
package is needed due to rusty rail problems.  When equipment is ordered Staff 
should be allowed to approve changes if they are equivalent to the requested 
equipment. 

Grade Crossing Protective Fund money is available for use to pay for the 
crossing upgrades to the extent the upgrades are completed by June 30, 2001. 
The total approximate cost is $9,000.  $5,400 would be paid from the Grade 
Crossing Protective Fund.  An expenditure of up to $7,000 from the Grade 
Crossing Protective Fund should be approved for unforeseen contingencies.

Staff recommends that the petition be granted.



FINDINGS

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 Railroad to upgrade 
warning devices at the highway-rail grade crossing located at “U” SE-N Road and 
the tracks of the Columbia Basin Railroad Co., designated as WUTC crossing 
number 34D 3.10 in Grant County, Washington.  60% of the cost of the 
installation shall be paid from the Grade Crossing Protective Fund.  The 
following conditions apply:

1)  The upgrades to warning devices must conform to the specifications 
identified in the petition or their equivalent as approved in advance by 
Commission Staff.

 2)  Expenditure from the Grade Crossing Protective Fund shall not exceed 
$7,000 without further order.

 (3)  Payment shall be made upon presentation of claim for reimbursement for 
materials and labor purchased and used on or before June 30, 2001.

 (4) All work must be completed by September 30, 2001.

 (5) Upon completion of the installations authorized herein, petitioner must
report completion to the Commission in writing.  Acceptance of the installation 
is subject to a  compliance inspection and report by Commission Staff verifying 
that the crossing is in full   compliance with law and regulation and the 
conditions specified in this order.

Dated at Olympia, Washington, and effective this      th day of March, 2001.

WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



CAROLE J. WASHBURN, Secretary