BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

                                      Petitioner,

BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE RAILWAY COMPANY

                                      Respondent
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 	)
	)
	)
	)
	)
	)
	)
	)
	)
	)
	)
	)	
		DOCKET NO. TR-010768
		
		ORDER GRANTING PETITION TO INSTALL MEDIAN BARRIERS AT McDUFF ROAD 
		
		D.O.T.             085780M
		
		W.U.T.C. 1K 41.10

BACKGROUND

1 On May 23, 2001, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) 
filed a petition  with the Commission, seeking authority to install median 
barriers at a highway-rail grade crossing.   The crossing is located at the 
intersection of the respondent’s tracks and McDuff Road in Section 7,  
Township16, Range 1W, W.M., in Thurston County, Washington.

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

DISCUSSION

3 In the vicinity of the crossing, McDuff Road is classified as a rural local 
road, with one lane for each  direction of traffic.  The posted vehicle speed 
limit on McDuff Road is 50 mph, however, an advisory  speed of 20 mph is posted 
on each approach to the crossing.  Average daily traffic through the   crossing 
is estimated at 903 vehicles. 

4 Respondent maintains two main-line tracks through the crossing.  Current 
daily train traffic averages  62 trains, including freight and commuter 
operations.  The maximum allowable speeds for trains   through the crossing are 
50 mph for freight trains and 79 mph for passenger trains.

5 The crossing is currently equipped with flashing light signals and gates.  
The petitioner proposes to  install a raised median barrier on both roadway 
approaches to the crossing, that consists of yellow  center-line curbing with 
flexible guide posts.  The curbing will be 12 inches wide and 3 ˝ to 4 inches  
high.  The median barriers will extend 100 feet both west and southeast from 
the crossing, beginning  at a point on the roadway center-line located across 
from each railroad gate arm.  The installation will  deter attempts by 
motorists to drive around lowered gates upon the approach of a train.  This   
crossing was chosen for median barrier installation due to its “high priority 
ranking” by WSDOT for  such installations.

6 Commission Staff investigated the petition and recommend that the petition be 
granted, subject to  specified conditions.

7 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

8 THE COMMISSION GRANTS the petition of the Washington State Department of 
Transportation  for the installation of median separators at a highway-rail 
grade crossing, designated as WUTC 1K  41.10 and located at the intersection of 
McDuff Road and the tracks of the Burlington Northern  Santa Fe Railroad 
Company, in Thurston County, Washington, subject to the following conditions:

  (1) The installations must conform to the plans filed in this proceeding.

  (2) All devices must be installed in such a manner as to provide the required 
clearances    for rail and vehicular traffic.

  (3) Upon completion of the installations authorized herein, petitioner must 
notify the     Commission.  Acceptance of the installation 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 13th day of June, 2001.

 THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION





      CAROLE J. WASHBURN, Secretary