Railroad crossing outside of Othello to be improved

OTHELLO — The railroad crossing at McManamon Road just northwest of Othello will get an upgrade, thanks to the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission.

On March 12, the UTC approved $20,000 for upgrading the railroad-highway grade crossing out of the Grade Crossing Protective Fund. The funds will be used by the Columbia Basin Railroad Company to upgrade the crossing signal equipment and train detection. The improvement will increase the safety of the crossing for pedestrians and vehicles.

The project is estimated to cost $24,477.58. Columbia Basin Railroad will pay for all costs beyond the $20,000 from the UTC. All upgrades are to be completed by Aug. 1.

The McManamon Road railroad crossing sees more than 1,000 vehicles a day, including four school buses and commercial vehicles. Two freight trains a day use the crossing, doing speeds of 10 miles per hour. There is no passenger service at this crossing.

The UTC administers the Grade Crossing Protective Fund that was established by the state legislature in 1969. The fund is used to provide safety devices to decrease the number of accidents and fatalities at railroad crossings in Washington.

— Staff Report