Washington UTC OKs funds to improve seven rail crossings

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) has approved $175,000 in grant funding from the state's Grade Crossing Protective Fund to improve safety at seven grade crossings in Walla Walla County.

Columbia Rail, the operator of five short lines in eastern Washington and eastern Oregon, will use the funds to pay for installation of new crossing signal bungalows at seven crossings in the cities of Walla Wall and College Place.

Crossing signal bungalows are small buildings near crossings that house electrical equipment that detects approaching trains and triggers the warning lights and gates, UTC officials said in a press release.

The new bungalows will be properly sealed to better protect the electrical equipment inside from dust, moisture and extreme weather, they said. The structures also will feature heating, air conditioning and power outlets to stabilize conditions and prevent system failures.