BNSF Fined $55K for Defects at Washington Crossings

BNSF Railway has agreed to pay $55,000 to settle claims by state regulators that the company failed to fix defects at seven railroad crossings in northwest Washington.

The Bellingham Herald reports that six of the crossings were in Whatcom County and one was in Skagit County.

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission approved the settlement. BNSF acknowledges that it failed to respond to repeated notices from the state commission about safety defects and did not repair crossings quickly enough, resulting in violations of state law.

The company agreed to pay the $55,000 penalty now, and will face an additional penalty of $50,000 if it fails to comply with the settlement terms.