Background

The California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) requests authority as the lead agency to widen State Route 84 (Jefferson Boulevard) across the Port of Sacramento railroad tracks at Stone Boulevard, PUC No. 89-2.10, located in West Sacramento, California. CalTrans expects the project to be completed within three years. The purpose of the project is to relieve traffic delay and congestion, enhance safety and provide better access to the Southport area in West Sacramento. The project will widen and upgrade the traveled way from a two-lane to four-lane highway from Stone to Park Boulevard, and construct a transition taper from the existing two-lane Yolo Barge Canal Bridge to the new four-lane section at Stone Boulevard. The Stone Boulevard Intersection will include new traffic signals, warning devices, gate arms and raised medians. The project is scheduled to be advertised in October 2001 and construction to begin in April 2002. Caltrans and the Port of Sacramento are in agreement with the work to be performed and the apportionment of costs.

Initially, two interested parties timely filed protests. The Rail Safety and Carriers Division (RSCD) alleged that the maintenance apportionment had not been resolved and that the crossing devices and proposed configuration were unsafe. Union Pacific Railroad Company opposed bearing the cost of maintenance for the new crossing. However, these parties and the applicant reached agreement on these issues.

CalTrans agrees to adopt RSCD's suggested warning devices and configuration. The northbound and southbound approaches will be equipped with two standard #9 gates. The eastbound approach on Stone Boulevard will be equipped with one standard #9 gate, and one standard #9A gate and cantilever. Additional standard #8 gates will be placed on each side of the track to provide warning to pedestrians. All warning devices will be placed so that all lights will be visible to traffic. Any railroad operating through this crossing will follow standard "Stop and Proceed" procedures, namely, the train engine will stop and make sure the intersection is clear before proceeding through the crossing. The Commission will order this procedure.

The Port of Sacramento agreed to provide maintenance of the new crossing.