Filing Requirements and Staff Recommendation

The application is in compliance with the Commission's filing requirements, including Rule 3.7 of Rules of Practice and Procedure, which relates to the construction of a public highway across a railroad. A vicinity map of the crossing location and a plan of the proposed alterations to the crossing are shown in Appendices A and B of this order.

RCES has visited the site, reviewed the application and analyzed the County's proposed alterations to the crossing. RCES recommends that the Commission grant the County's request.

RCES has worked closely with the County, UPRR, and current private-party users of this crossing to address the safety concerns of the private crossing. Funding is in place and procurement of the devices has already begun. RCES believes that the accident history (three train-vehicle collisions at this crossing since 2000, resulting in four fatalities and one injury) requires an expedited construction schedule for the County to construct the proposed safety improvements. Therefore, RCES recommends that the Commission should shorten the usual two-year authorization period to one year.