Railroad Crossing Gets New Hearing

Sat., May 29, 1999

By Susan Drumheller susand@spokesman.com

A dispute over the proposed abandonment of a Union Pacific Railroad grade in Ponderay is scheduled for another public hearing June 7 at the Edgewater Resort.

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission is holding the hearing to find out whether the “old” crossing at mile-post 76.12 is necessary to gain access to the Bonner Mall from State Highway 200.

Union Pacific requested authority to close the crossing in 1986 when the railroad and city of Ponderay agreed that new grade crossing to the mall would be constructed about a quarter mile north of the old crossing.

When the new crossing was built, UP began to demolish and close the old one, but a nearby business filed an objection, arguing that it would adversely affect business and inconvenience the public.

An IPUC hearing determined that the railroad could close the old crossing after the new one was equipped with automated flashing lights and gates, and Highway 200 was widened to accommodate turning lanes.

Another application to abandon the crossing was filed in June 1994, but later withdrawn so the parties could attempt a settlement.

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Railroad Crossing Gets New Hearing

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