CPSD/PWK/vdl Date of Issuance 3/2/10

BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

Order Instituting Investigation on the Commission's Own Motion into the Closure of the Highway-Rail At-Grade Crossing at West Doran Street south of State Route 134 between San Fernando Road and West San Fernando Road, in the City of Glendale, California, DOT Crossing No. 746804B, CPUC Crossing No. 101VY-7.99, and the Effects of that Closure on the City of Glendale and Nearby Residents in the City of Los Angeles, California.

FILED PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION FEBRUARY 25, 2010 SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE INVESTIGATION 10-02-020

ORDER INSTITUTING INVESTIGATION

AND NOTICE OF HEARING

I. SUMMARY

The purpose of this Order Instituting Investigation (OII) is to investigate the safety of the existing highway-rail at-grade crossing at West Doran Street south of State Route 134 between San Fernando Road and West San Fernando Road, in the City of Glendale, California, DOT Crossing No. 746804B, CPUC Crossing No. 101VY-7.99. This OII will consider the need to close the crossing as recommended by the Commission's Rail Crossings Engineering Section (RCES) staff of the Consumer Protection and Safety Division (CPSD).

RCES seeks closure of the crossing because it is unsafe and redundant. The City of Glendale and the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA or Metrolink) support closure. Additional discussions with City of Los Angeles representatives have indicated informal support for closure of this crossing. The crossing is unsafe primarily because it is immediately adjacent to a propane and industrial gas truck loading and storage facility. This hazard is compounded by the high frequency and speed of passenger and freight trains, the constricted intersection and crossing, the nature of the motor vehicle traffic, the proximity of a major state route, and other factors.