Repair work on a deteriorating Pasco rail crossing takes place Aug. 15-16 and will close some lanes to traffic. 

Port of Pasco officials said Oregon Avenue will remain open, with the lanes narrowing from four to two. Those lane closures begin at midnight Aug. 15, with the closure of the east side lanes. The closure will shift to the west side lanes Aug. 16. 

Port officials said the crossing is still safe to use but declared an emergency, so temporary repairs can be conducted as soon as possible while a long-term solution is developed.  

Engineering firm HDR found the issues with the crossing while conducting a rail assessment at the port’s Big Pasco Industrial Center.  

American Track is conducting the repairs under a $101,000 contract. It will be paid for out of the port’s capital projects budget set aside for Big Pasco. If needed, planned projects will be postponed so their funding can cover the cost of the work. 

A permanent fix will need to come later on, requiring longer lane closures.