First-class cities have a population of 10,000 or more and have adopted their own charter of government. RCW 35.01.010. First-class cities are responsible for safety at their railroad crossings. They can choose to join the UTC’s Crossing Safety Inspection Program to help with safety checks at these crossings.
Updating Railroad Crossing Data
By law, first-class cities must send the UTC updated railroad crossing information within 30 days after a public crossing is changed, opened, or closed.
Cities may email updates to: RailCrossingInventory@utc.wa.gov
UTC Crossing Safety Inspection Program
The UTC's Crossing Safety Inspection Program includes:
- Regular checks of railroad crossings
- Finding safety problems
- Making sure problems are fixed
Cities in the program may also ask the UTC for technical assistance related to:
- Crossing safety
- Crossing maintenance
- Crossing changes or upgrades
To join the program, a first-class city must tell the UTC at least 60 days before the date they want to start. The request must include proof that the city’s governing body agreed to a memorandum of understanding between the city and the UTC. To assist cities, the UTC provides a memorandum of understanding template (Word).
First-Class Cities in Washington
- Aberdeen*
- Bellingham*
- Bremerton
- Everett
- Richland*
- Seattle
- Spokane
- Tacoma*
- Vancouver*
- Yakima
Cities marked with an asterisk (*) have joined the UTC’s Crossing Safety Inspection Program.
Questions
Email Rail@utc.wa.gov