BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

YAKIMA COUNTY

Petitioner,

vs.

BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE RAILROAD COMPANY

Respondent
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	)	DOCKET NO. TR-931329
		
		ORDER AMENDING ORDER GRANTING PETITION TO INSTALL RAILROAD SIGNALS AT KEYS ROAD 
NORTH
		
		
		D.O.T. 098472U
		
		W.U.T.C. 33AL 4.00

BACKGROUND

1 On July 14, 1994, The Commission entered an order in Docket No. TR-931329 
granting a petition filed by  Yakima County to upgrade warning devices at a 
highway-rail grade crossing.  The crossing is located in the  SW 1/4 of the SE 
1/4 of section 21, township 13N, range 19E, W.M., at the intersection of Keys 
Road  North and the tracks of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad 
Company, in Yakima County.  On   November 19, 1999, Yakima County, in 
consideration of future projects that affect the Keys Road North  crossing, 
requested that the original order be modified to include surface improvements 
through the crossing.

2 At the time of filing, the respondent was the Washington Central Railroad.  
The Burlington Northern Santa Fe  Railroad Company has since acquired the rail 
line, making it the successor in interest as respondent in this  docket.  The 
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad Company has consented to an entry of an 
order   amending the July 14, 1994 order in Docket No. TR-931329 without 
further notice or hearing.

DISCUSSION

3 The original (1994) order in Docket TR-931329 granted Yakima County’s 
petition for the installation of  shoulder-mounted flashing light signals and 
gates.  Yakima County is planning to modify several roads within  the County, 
including Keys Road North, as part of a transportation improvement program. 
Keys Road, which  is currently two lanes, will be widened to three lanes as 
part of this program. 

4 After receiving the plans for the surface improvements to Keys Road North, 
Commission Staff requested that  the project be further modified to include 
cantilever-mounted flashing lights rather than shoulder-mounted  lights.  The 
original order approved the installation of shoulder-mounted lights with the 
assumption that the  roadway would remain two lanes.  Since the petitioner now 
plans to widen Keys Road North to three lanes,  cantilever-mounted signals are 
appropriate to provide improved warning to motorists in all three lanes.

5 Both petitioner and respondent have agreed to the modification from 
shoulder-mounted signals to   cantilever-mounted signals.

6 Commission Staff investigated Yakima County’s request to modify TR-931329 and 
recommended that the  request be granted, and the order be modified, subject to 
specified conditions.

7 The Commissioners have reviewed the original order and modifications, and 
have been fully advised in the  matter.  They believe that modifying TR-931329, 
subject to the conditions set forth below is in the public  interest, and in 
open meeting on December 27, 2000, directed the Commission Secretary to enter 
this order. 

ORDER

8 THE COMMISSION GRANTS the petition of Yakima County, as amended, for the 
reconstruction of the  grade crossing in this docket, located at the 
intersection of Keys Road North and the respondent’s tracks in  Yakima County, 
subject to the following conditions:

9 1) Reconstruction of the crossing 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 shall be installed in such a manner as to provide required 
clearances for both rail and vehicular  traffic.
 
 4) The crossing shall be hard surfaced between rails and for a distance of at 
least one foot outside each rail for  the full width of the traveled roadway, 
including the sidewalk.

 5) The roadway grade for 25 feet on each side of the centerline of the railway 
at the crossing must be level.

 6) Upon completion of the reconstruction and 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.

10 Dated at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 27th day of December, 2000.

11 WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



       CAROLE J.WASHBURN, Secretary