(Above) Railroad crossing on River Bridge Road northeast of the Lorenzo Bridge on U.S. 20. (Below) Veteran
designer Ryan Day, TSEA.

Crossing the divide

What's best for the traveling public is a question that Ryan Day asks himself when negotiating agreements to replace old railroad crossings.

"You can take a hard line and say railroad companies must maintain their crossings per Idaho law, but that doesn't build relationships," Day said.

"Nor does it serve motorists, who simply want smooth and improved road crossings.

"ITD needs to help, and railroad companies welcome it."

Day is District 6's transportation staff engineer assistant (TSEA) assigned to work with railroad firms on crossing improvements.

"Motorists equate bumpy railroad crossings with ITD as much as with railroad companies," he explained. "Our reputation hinges on helping railroad companies maintain their crossings."

A veteran designer in Project Development, Day works primarily with Scott Adams of Eastern Idaho Railroad and with officials of Union Pacific Railroad to improve up to three crossings per year.

All told, 209 roadways cross railroad right of way, most of them being side roads along Interstate 15 and U.S. 20. Eastern Idaho Railroad owns most of the railroad crossings, reflecting its large footprint in the region.

It's a ROAST
Identifying which railroad crossings to upgrade is the job of Traffic Engineer Ben Burke, who, with other members of the ITD Headquarters' Rail Operations and Safety Team (ROAST), submits recommendations for crossing improvements as requested.

Sajonara Tipuric of ITD Headquarters heads ROAST, which is tasked with prioritizing railroad-crossing projects statewide. The Idaho Transportation Board authorizes up to $2 million per year for ROAST's Rail Crossing Safety Fund, which finances crossing improvements for state and local roads.

"As you might expect, we improve public railroad crossings according to need," Burke said. Last year, ITD upgraded crossings on 1st Street in Bonneville County and on 17th Street in Ammon.

Stop signs at each of those crossings halted 10,000 vehicles per day, even though the railroad track hosts just one train per week. Stoppage led to motorist frustration and to a few fender benders, especially in the winter.

Burke and Day worked with Bonneville County Public Works Director Kevin Eckersell, Ammon City Engineer Lance Bates and Eastern Idaho Railroad Chief Engineer Scott Adams to install flashing stoplights activated by approaching trains.

Burke coordinated the $225,000 project, while Day developed project plans (drawings). Day also prepared the necessary legal agreement for Scott's signature.

Citizens thanked ITD for removing the stop signs, which facilitated safety and mobility.

It's the Law
Idaho statute clearly requires railroad companies to maintain their crossings.

"Whenever a state or county highway crosses…a railroad at grade, the railroad company shall…maintain that portion of such highway between the rails and for a distance of not less than two feet outside the outer rails.

"The crossing shall be planked or surfaced with other suitable material for the full width of the traveled way, including shoulders, and shall be maintained at all times in a smooth and firm condition." (Idaho Code 62-306)

Given liability issues, railroad companies do not allow cities, counties or ITD to maintain railroad crossings, except to plow snow. When it comes to upgrading or replacing crossings, however, these firms appreciate outside assistance.

"Railroad companies carry a big stick, because it's their right of way," Day said. "They were there first."

In view of costs and of construction demands in connection with fixing old railroad crossings, railroad companies are not always quick to replace them, said Maintenance Operations Manager Ken Hahn.

It's a Pain
Upgrading railroad crossings is a pain, primarily because it's hard to reset rails to match pavement surfaces, Hahn explained.

"After adding rock beneath ties, railroad crews compact the ground, but rails, planking and pavement settle differently," he said. "Crossings may have dips in them, and ITD may have paved up to the crossings several times."

Day said District 6 often pays for planking, while Eastern Idaho Railroad pays for labor and equipment to install it.

A project to install flashing stoplights and planking costs roughly $225,000, with stoplights being the lion's share of the expense.

Projects to install railroad crossing gates cost up to $250,000, with ITD generally purchasing gates for the railroad companies to install.

Upgrading railroad crossings helps ensure safe and comfortable travel for drivers and passengers alike.

The bottom line: In cooperation with local governments, transportation departments and railroad companies work together to meet the challenge of improving railroad crossings, furthering state-local teamwork and project results.

(Above) Aging railroad crossing on Hegsted Road (2000 North) in north Rexburg, off Idaho 33. (Below) Altogether, 209 roadways cross railroad right of way in District 6, most of them being side roads along Interstate 15 and U.S. 20.

Published 9-5-14