>Due to an intricate electrical setup, the engineer is in the process of complying with an operational restriction affirming that any southbound movement from the Shop Lead to the mainline must pause and monitor twenty seconds of crossing signal activation before pressing onward through the Sanguinetti Lane intersection.

Not at all intricate, actually very simple - the crossing signal system is likely only an island circuit, at least on that side of the road. There isn't an approach circuit to trigger the crossing ahead of time. FRA and operating rules require that you either allow the crossing warning to function for at least 20 seconds or wait for the gates (if equipped) to fully lower, or to flag the crossing. Same issue if you are delayed or start movement close to a grade crossing.