News from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has ordered the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway to make permanent repairs on a rough grade crossing at Southeast 25th and Shields Blvd. in Oklahoma City by July 1.

In the meantime, the commission will require the railroad to make frequent inspections and temporary repairs as needed to prevent the crossing surface from becoming a danger to public safety until the permanent repairs can be made.

G. R. Combs, Corporation Commission railroad department manager, said the rails and crossing surface are about two inches lower than the street surface, and that crossing surface boards have become loose.

Permanent repairs will include replacing ballast, ties and rails; installing a concrete crossing surface and raising the crossing surface to street level, Combs said.

Robert Ellison, a BNSF track supervisor, told the commission a budget for permanent repairs has been requested. He said he should know by February or March when the permanent repairs can begin. He did not estimate the cost of the repairs.

Combs said the Corporation Commission will monitor the temporary repairs to make sure the crossing remains safe for public use.

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