BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION THE BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE RAILWAY COMPANY Petitioner, CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON Respondent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) DOCKET NO. TR-010316 ORDER GRANTING PETITION FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF A GRADE CROSSING AT LAKE WASHINGTON BLVD. D.O.T. 091724U W.U.T.C. 4C 3.97 BACKGROUND 1 On March 7, 2001, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company filed a petition with the Commission, seeking authority to reconstruct a highway-rail grade crossing. The crossing is located at the intersection of Lake Washington Blvd. and the petitioner’s tracks, in Lot 1 of Section 8, Township 23 N, Range 5 E, W.M., in Renton, 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, Lake Washington Blvd. runs north-south and is classified as an urban local road, with a speed limit of 25 mph and one lane for each direction of traffic. Average daily traffic through the crossing is estimated at 10,100 vehicles, including 160 trucks and 16 school bus trips. Immediately to the southwest of the crossing, Old Gene Coulon Drive (Southport Blvd.) intersects with Lake Washington Blvd. on its west side, creating a “T” intersection. The BNSF tracks run NW-SE through the NE corner of the Lake Washington/Old Gene Coulon “T” intersection. Because of this configuration, there are three approaches to the crossing: north-bound on Lake Washington Blvd.; south-bound on Lake Washington Blvd.; and left turns onto Lake Washington Blvd. from Old Gene Coulon Drive. Left turns from Old Gene Coulon Drive are considered approaches to the crossing due to the fact that the BNSF tracks are located within the Lake Washington/Old Gene Coulon intersection. 4 Petitioner maintains a single main track that crosses Lake Washington Blvd. at approximately a 45 degree angle. Average daily train traffic includes 4 trains per day, traveling at a maximum timetable speed of 10 mph. A BNSF spur track is also located in the vicinity of the Lake Washington Blvd. crossing. The spur runs parallel to Lake Washington Blvd. and intersects Old Gene Coulon Drive approximately 60 feet west of the Lake Washington/Old Gene Coulon intersection. 5 Warning devices at the Lake Washington Blvd. crossing include cantilever-mounted flashing light signals. Stop signs are also located on the north-bound approach to the crossing and on south-bound Lake Washington Blvd., directly south of the crossing, however, they serve to control traffic movements within the Lake Washington/Old Gene Coulon intersection, and are not intended as railroad warning devices. 6 Reconstruction of the grade crossing is being proposed as part of a redevelopment project in the vicinity. The area to the west of the crossing will be redeveloped from industrial uses to a mixed use development, including residential, commercial, and office facilities. As a result of the new development, traffic through the Lake Washington crossing is expected to increase to 18,000 vehicles per day by 2005. Road improvements that are being implemented in anticipation of the increases in vehicular traffic include: the addition of a south-bound lane on Lake Washington Blvd. that adds an additional lane through the crossing; surface improvements to north-bound Lake Washington Blvd., however, no additional lanes through the crossing are proposed; the installation of highway traffic control signals at the Lake Washington/Old Gene Coulon intersection; and widening Old Gene Coulon Drive from two to four lanes, however, no additional turn lanes into the crossing are proposed. 7 In conjunction with the road improvements, the petitioner proposes to replace the existing warning devices with new equipment. Since the south-bound approach will consist of two lanes and the north-bound approach will remain one lane through the crossing, cantilever-mounted signals with gates and shoulder-mounted signals with gates are proposed respectively. In addition, the proposed highway traffic signals at the Lake Washington/Old Gene Coulon intersection will be inter-tied with the railroad circuitry to control vehicular movements through the crossing. 8 North-bound approach to the crossing The north-bound approach to the roadway intersection will consist of one dedicated left turn lane onto Old Gene Coulon Drive, and a lane that provides an option to turn left or proceed north across the tracks. The proposed railroad warning signal will be relocated approximately 60 feet south of its current location and the highway traffic control signal will be placed between the new railroad warning signals and the tracks. When a train is approaching or occupying the crossing, the railroad warning signals and gates will activate and the highway traffic control signal will cycle to red. Despite the fact that many vehicles traveling north-bound on Lake Washington will be making left turns on to Old Gene Coulon, and not proceeding across the tracks, the proposed lane configuration requires that all north-bound traffic, including vehicles making left turns, be prohibited from entering the roadway intersection upon the approach of a train. 9 South-bound approach to the crossing The south-bound approach to the crossing will consist of two lanes across the tracks. The distance from the proposed signal and gate to the Lake Washington/Old Gene Coulon intersection is approximately 130 feet. Because of the potential for vehicles traveling south on Lake Washington to queue back over the tracks when stopped at the roadway intersection, the inter-tie between the highway traffic control signal and railroad equipment will allow for preemption of the highway traffic control signal, cycling it to green when trains approach. The inter-tie is intended to clear vehicle queues on or near the tracks, while the railroad warning signal and gate stops south-bound traffic north of the grade crossing. 10 Left turns to the crossing from Old Gene Coulon Drive The proposal maintains one left turn lane for these movements. When trains approach or occupy the main track, left turns will be prohibited, thus controlling this approach through the highway traffic control signals. 11 Finally, the surface improvements to Lake Washington Blvd. will require that the grade crossing surface be upgraded from asphalt to concrete and lengthened to accommodate the widening of the roadway. 12 Commission Staff investigated the petition and recommend that the petition be granted, subject to specified conditions. 13 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 14 THE COMMISSION GRANTS the petition of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company for reconstruction of a grade crossing, located at the intersection of Lake Washington Blvd. and the petitioner’s tracks in Renton, Washington, subject to the following conditions: 1) The reconstruction and associated installations must conform to the plans filed in this proceeding. 2) Traffic control devices, pavement markings, and advance warning signs must comply with all applicable standards specified in the U.S. Department of Transportation Manual On Uniform Traffic Control Devices. 3) All devices must be installed in such a manner as to provide required clearances for both rail and vehicular traffic. 4) Upon completion of the reconstruction authorized herein, petitioner must notify 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. 15 Dated at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 14th day of March, 2001. THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION CAROLE J. WASHBURN, Secretary