Commission authority is required prior to constructing new, or modifying existing, highway-rail crossings. Commission authority may be requested by filing a formal application. A formal application for a non-controversial highway-rail crossing project typically takes six to 12 months for approval.
Commission General Order 88-B (abbreviated GO 88-B) provides rules for staff approval (in contrast to Commission action for formal applications) of projects that meet criteria listed below. Projects that are processed pursuant to GO 88-B typically take less than 45 days for approval.
Criteria for GO 88-B Projects
- Grade crossing widening within the existing street right-of-way.
- Approach grade changes.
- Track elevation changes.
- Roadway realignment that is functionality related to the existing crossing and can be achieved within the existing or a contiguous right-of-way.
- Addition of one track within the existing railroad right-of-way.
- Change in the type or addition of an automatic signaling device, crossing gate, crossing flagman or other forms of crossing protection or reduction of hours during which any such protection is maintained, or other minor alterations.
- Alterations or reconstruction of an existing grade-separated crossing, where exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to California Public Resources (PR) Code Section 21080.13.
- Construction of a grade-separation that eliminates an existing at-grade highway-rail crossing, where exempt from CEQA pursuant to PR Code Section 21080.13
In addition to meeting the above criteria, all interested parties--including Commission staff--must agree to the project. If any party objects to the proposed project, then a formal application must be filed.
The first step for requesting authority pursuant to GO 88-B is to contact the appropriate field engineer. See the Rail Crossings Engineering Section Questions page for territory assignment maps.
The second step is holding an onsite diagnostic meeting with the interested parties to review the proposed changes.
If all parties are in agreement, then complete and send the GO 88-B authorization request form (included with the form are instructions on completing it and where to mail it). The form must be signed by a government or railroad agency official, it cannot be signed by a consultant on behalf of a government or railroad agency.
Mail completed form, attachments, and evidence of agreements signed by all interested parties to the following:
1) Original addressed to Section Supervisor
Daren Gilbert, Supervisor
Rail Crossings Engineering Section
California Public Utilities Commission
515 L Street, Suite 1119
Sacramento, CA 95814
2) Copy to the engineer assigned to the territory
See RCES staff contact information and territory maps page.
3) Copy to the appropriate Senior Utilities Engineer
For projects in counties included in the Southern California territory map
Varoujan Jinbachian, Senior Utilities Engineer
Rail Crossings Engineering Section
California Public Utilities Commission
320 West 4th Street, Suite 500
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Or
For projects in counties included in the Northern California territory map
Mahendra Patel, Senior Utilities Engineer
Rail Crossings Engineering Section
California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102