UTC approves $25,000 for Pend Oreille rail crossing improvements

Media contact: 360-664-1116 or [email protected]
Docket number: TR-250571

LACEY, Wash. - State regulators approved $25,000 in funding from the Grade Crossing Protective Fund (GCPF) to support safety improvements at the State Route 20 railroad crossing near Usk in Pend Oreille County.

The project, led by the Port of Pend Oreille and Pend Oreille Valley Railroad (POVA), will reconstruct the rural crossing where State Route 20 meets the tracks. The upgrades will address long-standing safety concerns, including a deep dip in the roadway and poor drainage that create hazards for drivers, school buses, snowplows, and emergency responders.

The total project cost is $150,000, with the Port of Pend Oreille contributing $125,000. The Port and POVA expect construction to occur in summer 2026. The project should take about six to eight weeks to finish, with around one week of actual on-site construction. During this time, the Port will work closely with Pend Oreille County, Washington Department of Transportation officials, and others to avoid traffic disruptions.

The 1969 Legislature created the GCPF program to fund safety measures that reduce accidents and fatalities at public and private crossings and along railroad tracks.

The UTC regulates railroad safety, including approving new rail crossings and closing or altering existing crossings, investigating train accidents, inspecting railroad crossings, endorsing safety projects, and promoting rail safety education through Washington Operation Lifesaver(WAOL). Follow WAOL on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

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