Probably the same reason why the wig-wag at Timber was replaced with new flashers/gates, and at Latimer Road (near the Cheese Factory) brand new flashers/gates were installed - both post washout. It makes for a good "we created jobs!" story but at the end of the day, is rather pointless.

New ODOT specification crossing signs have gone up everywhere in the last few months replacing the old Southern Pacific common standard signs/posts.

According to POTB's 2008-2009 budget, POTB will spend $8,000 on electricity related to the railroad - to power 11 sets of crossing signals - only two of which (one in Garibaldi and one half-way between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach) see any amount of use (because of the OCSR excursion train). One of the signals (which has been installed for many years) is quite ridiculous, protecting a crossing on the north side of Wheeler that serves...a vacant parcel of property - and nothing else. (Coordinates: 45°41'34.68"N, 123°52'48.14"W) $8,000 might not be a lot of money, but it's money that is basically thrown away.

Especially when that money could be better used upgrading crossings on railroad tracks that are used daily - after all it's ODOT's money that can be spent anywhere in the state.