About the Project

The City of Tacoma has studied rail crossings in the Dome District, in Old Town, and in the West End.  Issues discussed/reviewed included safety, traffic operations, non-motorized mobility, noise, and economic or other quality of life issues.  These crossings have been identified as locations of concern by local residents, business associations, and property owners.  The rail lines at these locations are managed by BNSF, Sound Transit for commuter rail (AMTRAK and Sounder) and Tacoma Rail Mountain Division.

What Has Been Done and Next Steps

West End (6th Avenue and S. 19th Street) 

Thank you for attending our virtual open house on February 17, 2021.  If you were unable to attend, click here to view a recording of the open house.  The ‘Question and Answer’ portion of the open house will be posted soon.  If you have any questions on the project, contact Project Manager Mark D'Andrea at mdandrea@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 591-5518.

Scope and Schedule: Pedestrian rail crossing improvements are planned at both the 6th Avenue and S. 19th Street rail crossings.  Select improvements include upgraded railroad signals, relocated vehicle railroad gates, the installation of new pedestrian railroad gates, sidewalks, curb ramps, pavement replacement, pavement markings/crosswalks, landscaping, signs and fencing.  Design, permitting and right-of-way activities are complete and the project has been advertised and awarded to a local contractor.  The City and BNSF will each be responsible for completing work in their respective rights-of-way (City to complete all sidewalks, paving, signage, etc.; BNSF will complete all rail gate/signal work). 

• June 23, 2021 - Schedule Update: The City and BNSF have finalized all contracts related to the project. The City’s contractor will soon be able to enter into their contracts with BNSF.  Pending any further delays, construction will tentatively begin on the City’s scope in July/August 2021, with the work is expected to take approximately 3-4 months.  BNSF anticipates starting work on their scope while the City contractor is onsite. They anticipate their duration to be no more than six months. 

Project Schedule for West End (6th Avenue and S. 19th Street)

• October 2020: City advertises work at 6th Avenue and S. 19th Street for construction
• July/August 2021: Construction begins for City project scope
• November/December 2021: City construction/scope complete
• BNSF anticipates starting construction while the City contractor is onsite, duration estimated at six months or less

McCarver Crossing
All crossing improvements have been installed. This includes new sidewalks, fencing, signs, pavement markings, upgraded rail signals, and the installation of two new pedestrian gates/signals on the east side of the crossing.
 
Dome District
In preparation for Quite Zone implementation, an onsite Diagnostic Meeting was held with representatives from Sound Transit, the Federal Railroad Administration and all other rail entities using the E. C Street and E. D Street crossings.  Draft layouts have been assembled for each crossing, and contracting, design and construction discussions have been ongoing with Sound Transit.  Further work at these two crossings is on hold due to COVID-19 related budget impacts.
  

Final Rail Crossing Report

The final report addressing these rail crossings were completed in October 2018. 

Rail Crossings Map

This map shows the general location of the crossings analyzed.  

West End (6th Avenue and S. 19th Street)

Project Funding

Dome District (E. C and E. D St. Crossings)

As of June 2020, this project is currently on hold.

Contact Information

If you have questions or comments you can contact City of Tacoma Project Manager, Mark D'Andrea, at (253) 591-5518 or by email.