Railroad crossings

At grade railroad crossings, where the street and railroad tracks intersect, create a potentially dangerous situation for motorists, non-motorized travelers, and rail passengers. Auburn has several at grade railroad crossings. The Union Pacific line crosses city streets at South 285th Street, 37th Street NW, 29th Street NW, West Main Street, and 15th Street SW. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) tracks intersect city streets at 37th Street NW, 29th Street NW, 3rd Street NW, West Main Street, M Street SE, and the Auburn Black Diamond Road. With more than 60 trains passing through the City each day, there is a high potential for accidents involving a train.

The City coordinates with railroad operators and the State to upgrade the crossings whenever possible. For instance, new long-gate crossing arms were recently placed at the Union Pacific crossing on West Main Street. Also, in 2002 the pedestrian crossing the railroad tracks.

It is extremely important for drivers and pedestrians alike to obey the warming lights and lowered crossing arms at railroad track crossings. Often, when a train passes and the crossing arms do not go up, there is another train coming. It is not safe to cross the tracks by going around the lowered crosing arms, even when an approaching train seems far away. Trains move at very high speeds through the City and can reach an at-grade crossing with little advanced warming. Trains can also back-up unexpectedly.