LACEY—The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) has approved $70,805 in funding from the Grade Crossing Protective Fund (GCPF) to improve pedestrian safety in downtown Marysville, Washington.
The project will install approximately 850 feet of tamper-resistant metal fencing between the BNSF Railway Co. right-of-way and Cedar Street, from 1st Street to 4th Street. This initiative aims to enhance public safety by reducing trespassing incidents and channeling pedestrians towards signalized railroad crossings.
The need for these upgrades was identified following several pedestrian near-misses and a fatality in the area. The new fencing is expected to reduce the risk of future incidents by restricting unauthorized access to the tracks.
In 1969, the Legislature created the GCPF program to provide funding for safety measures to reduce accidents and fatalities at public and private crossings and along railroad tracks.
The UTC regulates railroad safety, including approving new grade crossings and closing or altering existing rail crossings, investigating train accidents, inspecting public railroad crossings, approving safety projects, and managing safety education through Operation Lifesaver.
