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The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) recently approved the allocation of $40,000 from the Grade Crossing Protective Fund (GCPF) to help pay for upgrading warning devices at two Columbia & Cowlitz Railway Co. grade crossings in Kelso and Longview, Wash.

In Kelso, the railroad plans to use $20,000 from the GCPF to install new shoulder-mounted gates, LED flashing lights and new electronic-signal circuitry; replace the existing warning bell with an electronic model; and upgrade train detection devices.

In Longview, Columbia & Cowlitz plans to use the other $20,000 to replace existing 12-foot cantilevers with 24-foot ones, replace cantilever foundations and crossbucks, install LED flashing lights and substitute the current warning bell with an electronic bell.

The railroad will cover the remainder of the Kelso ($3,350) and Longview ($1,600) project costs. The work must be completed by June 30, 2013.

The UTC also approved $20,000 from the GCPF to help pay for warning devices at a Washington & Idaho Railway crossing in Oakesdale, Wash.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) plans to use the funds to install new cantilever gates with LED flashing lights and constant-warning train detection devices, replace an old-style bungalow with a newer model and replace all underground signal cable.

WSDOT will cover the project's remaining cost totaling $32,367. The upgrades must be completed by June 30, 2013.