BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

PUGET SOUND AND PACIFIC,       )  DOCKET NO. TR-010450
 RAILROAD CO.,   )
      )  ORDER GRANTING PETITION 
 Petitioner,    )  TO UPGRADE WARNING 
      )  DEVICES AND AUTHORIZING
  v.    )  EXPENDITURE FROM GRADE
      )  CROSSING PROTECTIVE FUND
CITY OF ABERDEEN,   )
      )  WUTC NO.  6D 55.70
      )
 Respondent.    )  DOT NO. 808711F
…………………………………….……….. )


BACKGROUND

The Puget Sound and Pacific Railroad Co. (Railroad) filed a petition on March 
27, 2001, requesting authority to change the warning devices and circuitry at 
the crossing located at Myrtle Street located in Aberdeen, Washington.   The 
Railroad further requests the Commission authorize an expenditure from the 
Grade Crossing Protective Fund to pay 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 shoulder mounted flashing lights.  The detection circuitry is 
Direct Current with interlocking type mechanical track relays.  The circuitry 
is outdated, and existing signal equipment has deteriorated beyond repair due 
to age.   

A transload facility was constructed for railroad use near the crossing that 
will increase traffic over the crossing, including hazardous material trucks.  
Rail traffic, including switching moves, will also increase.  Existing 
circuitry and devices are inadequate to provide needed protection at the 
crossing.  The Railroad proposes to use surplus equipment available from the 
Washington State Department of Transportation to upgrade the warning circuitry 
to motion sensors, and to replace the lights and add gates.   This crossing is 
connected with the crossing at 30th Street, which also must be upgraded for the 
upgrade to Myrtle Street to be effective.

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 $17,000.  $10,200 would be paid from the Grade 
Crossing 


Protective Fund.  An expenditure of up to $11,000 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 Myrtle Street and 
the tracks of the Puget Sound and Pacific Railroad Co., designated as WUTC 
crossing number 6D 55.70 in Aberdeen, 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 
$11,000 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 this11th day of April, 2001.

WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



CAROLE J. WASHBURN, Secretary