Port of Columbia County

STUDY EVALUATES RAIL CROSSINGS IN COLUMBIA COUNTY PROPOSES SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS

A study recently evaluated rail crossings throughout Columbia County and identified what safety improvements can be made in both the short and long term. Several local communities and private businesses joined together to commission the Columbia County Rail Safety and Mobility Study, with the Port of Columbia County representing the public-private partnership.

“The rail line is an important economic driver in our county, supporting multiple businesses that employ hundreds of people,” said Sean Clark, the port’s executive director. “We are also aware that by bisecting multiple cities, the rail can present potential challenges.”

The study was divided into two phases. The first phase evaluated each of the 48 crossings located within the county rail corridor and categorized them based on safety, traffic delay, and concerns from the local communities. Phase two developed a matrix of improvement alternatives for each crossing.

Many crossings would benefit from a combination of upgrading the crossing conditions and the implementation of passive or active warning devices to restrict movement across the tracks.

The construction of a grade-separated crossing, or overpass, was analyzed within a half mile of the Gable Road crossing in St. Helens. A concept drawing summarizes the scale and potential impacts associated with an overpass project, at an estimated cost of $61 million.

“An overpass is something that we often hear as a possible solution, so we asked

what that concept could look like and what it would cost,” said Clark. “A lot more work would need to be done before a project of this magnitude could move forward.”

The study proposes a quiet zone at the High School Way crossing in Scappoose, due to the proximity of several schools. Required safety measures for the quiet zone to be approved include the installation of medians or channelization devices, one-way streets with gates, and four quadrant gate systems.

The quiet zone could alternatively extend throughout the city, from Havlik Drive to Crown Zellerbach Road, requiring upgrades to all the crossings located within the zone.

An action plan provides near to long-term crossing projects and outlines the next steps.

Clark said, “The jurisdictions will have to review the suggested improvements and decide which they want to pursue. This study provides a foundation and is designed to support grant requests to advance future crossing projects.”

The final report for the Columbia County Rail Safety and Mobility Study is available at https://www.portofcolumbiacounty.org/ business-and-development/page/columbiacounty-rail-safety-mobility-study.

APPLICABLE REGULATIONS continued

SOLAS V/22

“The view of the sea surface from the conning position shall not be obscured by more than two ship lengths, or 500 m, whichever is the less, forward of the bow to 10° on either side under all conditions of draught, trim and deck cargo; No blind sector, caused by cargo, cargo gear or other obstructions outside of the wheelhouse forward of the beam which obstructs the view of the sea surface as seen from the conning position, shall exceed 10°. The total arc of blind sectors shall not exceed 20°. The clear sectors between blind sectors shall be at least 5°. However, in the view described in .1, each individual blind sector shall not exceed 5°”.

The Coast Guard strongly recommends that vessel owners, operators, and other maritime stakeholders:

• Consider the impacts to safe navigation of loading cargo in such a way that impacts visibility from the bridge

• Proactively notify Port State Authorities and local

Pilotage Agencies of the departure and arrival ports if bridge visibility is impacted, before the vessel sets sail

• Provide additional crewmembers in order to combat fatigue and augment enhanced / doubled lookout watches, especially when transiting through areas of high traffic density

• Ensure that any equipment provided to increase visibility works as intended, accounting for sea conditions, camera quality, and screen size

• Identify and contract with possible commercial or governmental vessels that may be able to serve as an escorts to clear the waterway ahead of the vessel

• Employ risk-analysis and mitigation strategies recognizing the concerns of such condition

• Adjust loading configurations to comply with the

International and US requirements for visibility from the bridge

As a result of the increase in these vessels, Marine Safety Unit Portland has developed a Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) conveying our concerns, which will also be made available to interested parties.