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The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) recently approved allocations from the Grade Crossing Protective Fund (GCPF) for five grade crossing improvement projects.

The commission will provide the Eastern Washington Gateway Railroad $16,700 from the GCPF to upgrade warning devices at two crossings in Lincoln County. The railroad plans to install light-emitting diode (LED) lights at a crossing in Wilbur and upgrade incandescent lights with LED lights at a crossing in Almira. The short line also will replace cross-buck signs, batteries and battery chargers at both locations.

In addition, the Eastern Washington Gateway Railroad will receive $8,600 from the GCPF to upgrade warning signals and install cantilevered-mounted lights and cross-buck signs at a crossing near Coulee City. The railroad plans to replace incandescent lights with LED-type flashing lights and upgrade a battery charger.

The UTC also will provide the Cascade and Columbia Railroad $12,000 from the GCPF to upgrade warning devices at two crossings in Okanogan County. The railroad plans to upgrade flashing incandescent lights with LED lights, and replace cross-buck and advance-flash warning signs at crossings in Omak and near Brewster.