Washington UTC OKs grants for grade crossing upgrades

Washington state regulators have approved $19,576 in grant funding for safety upgrades at grade crossings in Walla Walla, Columbia, Thurston and King Counties.

The Utilities and Transportation Commission approved Grade Crossing Protective Fund grants for four projects at the request of the Columbia-Walla Walla Railroad, city of Rainier and the Northwest Railway Museum.

The grant funds and projects are:

• $5,802 to upgrade batteries and chargers at the Prospect Avenue crossing south of Walla Walla;
• $7,375 to purchase railroad warning signs for 43 private crossings in Walla Walla and Columbia counties;
• $400 to purchase supplies to refresh pavement markings for the Centre Street crossing in Rainier; and
• $5,998 to upgrade batteries at the Meadowbrook Way crossing in Snoqualmie.

The program was created in 1969 to provide money for safety measures to reduce accidents and fatalities at public and private crossings, and along railroad tracks.