BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
CITY OF SNOQUALMIE                    )         DOCKET NO. TR-000538 
                                                )
                 Petitioner,                     )         ORDER GRANTING 
PETITION TO 
                                                )         RECONSTRUCT A GRADE 
CROSSING 
                                                )         AT SE RIVER STREET
NORTHWEST RAILWAY                    )
MUSEUM                                       )
                                                )         W.U.T.C. 29A 33.00
                 Respondent                     )         D.O.T. 092026E 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
.   )
BACKGROUND 
                  By petition filed with the Commission on April 10, 2000, the 
City of Snoqualmie seeks authority to reconstruct a grade crossing at the 
intersection of SE River Street and the tracks of the Northwest Railway Museum, 
located in NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section 31, Township 24N, Range 8 E, W.M.
                  Respondent has consented to an entry of an order by the 
Commission without further notice or hearing, pursuant to an agreement between 
the parties. 
DISCUSSION
                  In the vicinity of the crossing, SE River Street is 
classified as a minor collector, with one lane of traffic in each direction and 
a maximum vehicle speed limit of 25 mph. Daily traffic through the crossing is 
estimated at 535 vehicles.
                  Respondent maintains a single main track through the 
crossing. Daily train traffic includes 12 trains operating primarily on 
Saturdays and Sundays, however, weekday train operations also exist on an 
occasional basis. The maximum timetable speed for trains on this line is 20 mph.
                  Currently, the crossing surface is 55 feet long, including 47 
feet of asphalt surface and two four-foot cement sidewalks. Proposed changes to 
the crossing include replacing the asphalt surface with concrete. The petition 
states that "SE River Street is being reconstructed with new pavement curb and 
gutter, and sidewalks. The City feels that the crossing should be upgraded 
along with the roadway." The petition further states that "The existing passive 
signage and roadway markings will be upgraded and improved to the requirements 
of the current Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and 
Highways (MUTCD)."
                 
                  Commission Staff, having investigated the petition, has 
recommended that the petition be approved, subject to specified conditions.
                  The Commissioners, having reviewed the petition and being 
fully advised in the matter, 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 City of Snoqualmie for the 
reconstruction of a grade crossing at the intersection of SE River Street and 
the tracks of the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie, Washington, subject 
to the following conditions:
                  1. All construction and installation must conform to the 
plans filed in this proceeding.
                  2. The Crossing must be hard surfaced between the rails and 
for a distance of at least one foot outside of each rail for the full width of 
the traveled roadway, including the sidewalk.
                  3. 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.
                  4. Upon completion of the reconstruction authorized herein, 
petitioner must report completion to the Commission. Acceptance of the 
reconstruction is subject to a compliance inspection and report by Commission 
staff verifying that crossing is in full compliance with law and regulation and 
the conditions specified herein.
                  Dated at Olympia, Washington, and effective this 28th day of 
June, 2000
WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
                                                              CAROLE J. 
WASHBURN, Secretary