Discussion

The City requests authority to construct a railroad spur track from the BNSF Railway Company's (BNSF) Lucerne Valley Subdivision Cushenbury Branch tracks that will cross Mojave Street in the City at grade. The proposed spur track is part of the City's Industrial Rail Lead Track Project to promote economic growth within the City. The spur track will extend northerly approximately one mile from the existing BNSF track and will serve the City's future Industrial Park.

The daily vehicle traffic count on Mojave Street is estimated to be less than 65 vehicles per hour for peak afternoon periods with fewer then 65 vehicles in the peak morning periods. Train speeds are a maximum 10 miles per hour, with an estimated one train per week and increasing to three trains per week at full build-out.

The crossing will be equipped with two Commission Standard 9 (flashing light signal assembly with automatic gate) warning devices, one on each approach to the crossing. In addition, raised center medians at the crossing will be constructed at two feet in width, eight inches in height and 100 feet in length west of the crossing and 55 feet in length east of the crossing.