About the Crossing

The McCarver Street rail crossing is owned and maintained by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF). Railways that currently operate over this crossing include Amtrak (ATK), and the Union Pacific Rail Road Company (UP). This railroad crossing is an at grade public crossing which primarily services intercity passenger trains, freight deliveries, and has two main tracks.

About the Community

This rail crossing is located centrally within the Old Town Business District. Land use in this area is commercial with residential single family and multifamily nearby. Within a five (5) minute radius the 2016 population was 20,758, with total business of 1,300, and total daytime employees of 17,658.

The City of Tacoma has recently completed improvements at this crossing including signage, pavement markings, and fencing. The City continues to work with BNSF in implementing supplemental crossing improvements at this location.

As defined in the South Downtown Subarea Plan, part of the City's One Tacoma Comprehensive Plan, the implementation of a Quiet Zone centered around E. D Street and E. 25th Street has been identified as a strategy to support the area's long-term goal of reducing train noise in the core of the Dome District. The strategy was established through collaboration with South Downtown stakeholders, a Citizen Advisory Committee, and City staff during the development of the Subarea Plan. You can find the U.S. Department of Transportation guide to establishing a Quiet Zone here. 

About the Crossings

The East C and East D Street rail line is owned by Sound Transit which also operates and maintains the rail crossings. Current railways operating over these crossing include Tacoma Rail and Sound Transit. On December 18, 2017 Amtrak Cascades began running passenger trains through these crossings. This is an at-grade public crossing which primarily services freight, commuter, and tourist uses. This area has two main tracks. 

About the Community

The Dome District, is a diverse mix of commercial, residential, entertainment, and tourism area. Transportation options central to this area are: non-motorized, commuter rail, Link light rail, train, and bus. Within a five-minute radius of this rail crossing there is a 2016 population of 20,323, total businesses of 2,102, and 34,380 daytime employees. There is recently completed construction on the rail line at this location. Amtrak has added a south platform for future passenger service at this location (moving from the previous north location).

Approximately 400 feet from East D Street rail crossing is the Tacoma Dome Station. The north building is at 610 Puyallup Ave., the South Building is at 424 E. 25th Street., and the Tacoma Link station is also located at 424 E. 25th Street.   The Tacoma Dome Station has 2,283 parking spaces and the facility is served by Sounder Lakewood-Seattle, Tacoma Link light rail, Sound Transit bus services routes 586, 590, 594 and routes for Pierce Transit and Intercity Transit.

The Dome District crossings experience a high level of pedestrians due to the proximity to regional bus transit, commuter rail, adjacent business, and event traffic from the Tacoma Dome.

About the Crossings

The 6th Ave and S. 19th Street rail crossings are owned and maintained by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF). Railways that currently operate over these crossings include Amtrak (ATK) and the Union Pacific Rail Road Company (UP). These are at-grade public crossing which primarily service intercity passenger trains, freight deliveries, and has two main tracks.

Land uses associated with the area are a mix of commercial, residential, and recreational.

About the Community

The 6th Avenue rail crossing experiences high pedestrian volumes due to being adjacent to the Titlow Beach Marine Preserve, Titlow Park, and popular destination restaurants. There is a recreational, non-motorized trail (N. Wilton Rd.) that begins at the scenic wharf area northwest of the rail crossing. The beach and small waterfront wharf is a scenic and recreation designation only accessible by pedestrians. This crossing has sidewalks on both sides of the roadway.

The S. 19th St. rail crossing experiences a higher vehicle crossing volume and lower pedestrian volume due to the marina uses and availability of parking on the water side of the tracks. Land use associated with the area is primarily commercial, but there are single and multi-family residential and recreational uses in the area. The south ½ side of S. 19th Street is in the City of University Place. There are no sidewalks at this crossing.