Springfield, Illinois: Penalty increase for 2009

West Chicago, Illinois: Car sandwiched between trains

A limosine driver and his passengers escaped injury when his vehicle was struck in quick succession by trains travelling in opposite directions. The accident occurred in West Chicago, Illinois during the early evening of December 26th, 2008. It appears that the vehicle in question found its way onto the railway close to but not on the level crossing near the intersection of Kautz and Roosevelt roads. 

All occupants of the limo were able to evacuate the vehicle before it was struck by first one train and then another.

(December 28th, 2008)

California is the latest state to declare its hand and set out what it would like to do if federal financial support for the economy is enhanced when Barrak Obama takes office later this month.

A flagship project for California is the development of a high-speed railway system with the core a line linking San Francisco with Los Angeles and Anaheim. This project will be greatly assisted were federal support to run as high as US$20 billion for investment in infrastructure forecast to cost around US$33 billion. This investment will stimulate the Californian economy and tackle greenhouse gas emissions as well as reduce the impact of higher energy prices in the longer term.

However, the incoming Obama administration is believed to be looking for projects that can get underway quickly whereas the California high-speed rail project is still faced with two or more years of planning. But, level crossing improvement and some grade separation projects within 600 or so level crossings impacting on the proposed high-speed rail project could move ahead more quickly. Accordingly, there now appears to be a window of opportunity to launch these enabling works to claim the safety benefit before the wider economic benefits of high-speed rail can be realised. The start of work on-site would be progressive with the first in process by mid-year.

(December 27th, 2008)

Eugene R. Russell Sr., professor of civil engineering at Kansas State University, has been selected to receive the 2008 Council of University Transportation Centers Award for Distinguished Contribution to University Transportation Education and Research. The award, which has been given annually since 1998, recognises individuals who have had a long history of significant and outstanding contribution to university transportation education and research resulting in a lasting contribution to transportation. Gene will receive the award on January 10th, 2009, in Washington, DC.

Gene Russell has spent more than 40 years researching safety issues for all aspects of transportation including those relating to

level crossings where his research has included analyzing rail-highway grade crossing warning systems. Gene’s interest in level crossings has been recognised by the Transportation Research Board who appointed him an emeritus committee member of the Highway-Railway Grade Crossing Committee.

(December 24th, 2008)

A young adult male was killed while cycling across the Wisconsin Avenue level crossing in Oceanside, California after the crossing was closed to road traffic. The accident happened in the late afternoon of December 23rd, 2008.

It has been suggested that the cyclist was oblivious to the presence of a train because he was listening to music on a MP3 player.

(December 24th, 2008)

In a novel twist, Union Pacific (UP) deployed “Santa’s helpers” to reward motorists using level crossings properly. The initiative involved “Santa’s helpers” observing motorists behaviour at level crossings and then thanking those who stopped at the crossings and did not attempt to run the red light or beat the barriers with tickets to see a movie.

The initiative enabled UP to get across the need to act responsibly around the railway during the Christmas – new year year holidays in a fun way using volunteers including locomotive

drivers and conductors engaging within a community served by UP. Why, because "During the holidays, we frequently see an increase in crossing accidents as motorists rush to do their shopping or hurry to parties," said UP’s Sam Stephenson.

(December 23rd, 2008)

Not Candid Camera, but Massachussets Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) surveillance cameras filmed a collision with a car on the level crossing North Avenue, Abington Station, Massachussets on December 21st, 2008.

The accident happened when a passenger train hit a car, tearing off much of the front end bodywork, during the morning rush hour. The middle aged male motorist escaped injury in the accident which was preceded by the car driver backing off the crossing, but not far enough to avoid a collision. The driver has already received a US$200 ticket for his sins.

It was an incident similar to this that caused MBTA Police, with help of local police to launch a pilot programme earlier this month, continuing until December 31st, 2008, to observe motorist behaviours. So far, more than 40 drivers have received warnings or been charged with offences relating to the safe use of level crossings.

Worryingly, the exercise has led to several drivers of buses and trucks carrying flammable liquids ticketed for not coming to a stand before crossing the railway as is required by law. This requirement which applies even when lights are not flashing and barriers are in their raised position does, when it is ignored carry a potential penalty of US$500.

The crossings targeted are in Abington, Braintree, and Weymouth all of which are to the South of Boston.

(December 23rd, 2008)

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) continues to experience improving safety at level crossings on its infrastructure (LXinfo December 2008) to November 30th, 2008.

Headline performance is that BNSF experienced 1.55 collisions per million train miles compared with 1.79 in 2007.

In the detail of the data:

• Industrial truck collisions are down 36% from a year ago
• Pedestrian/trespasser casualty incidents are down 18%
• 428 crossings were closed, on target for the 2008 goal

(December 22nd, 2008)

Cambridge, Ontario: To overpass or not?

Concerns have been raised that the economic slowdown and falling demand for new cars could bring an overpass rather than a shift of train operations to serve the Toyota factory currently served via a level crossing on Hespeler Road, Cambridge, Ontario.

Until recently the plan was for Canadian Pacific (CP) to serve Toyota via another yard, reducing rail traffic over the level crossing by some 75%. But now, there are no longer plans to make the switch in the current economic climate. The city fathers are not pleased as without going back to the long-mooted grade separation project there will be no end to tailbacks and disgruntled residents affected by current rail operations.

The Waterloo Regional Government has now revived the overpass proposal and will be asking the regulator to require CP to pay the majority of the costs involved, perhaps as much as 85%.

The scale of CP’s contribution to the project may not be known for months as even with a ruling in spring 2009 an appeal is possible. Any delay would push back the start of construction, currently slated for 2010.

How much is at stake? In total, the project may cost more than CDN$30m. But, if the ruling isn’t favourable to CP and the costs of grade separation is as high as has been mooted, there may be financial advantage for CP in reconsidering their plan to relocate the freight facilities.

(December 22nd, 2008)

A snowstorm has been implicated in a collision between a freight train an both a bus and car on a level crossing on Torbram Road, Brampton, Ontario. The accident happened in the afternoon of December 19th, 2008

It is believed that the exit of the bus from the level crossing was impeded by slow moving traffic ahead and that the car followed the bus onto the level crossing with both unable to move off the crossing as the barriers lowered for an approaching freight train. The train struck the rear of the bus and totalled the car from which the occupants had been able to escape meaning that this will go down as a non-injury accident.

Hopefully, people will recognise the catastrophic potential of a train striking a bus on a level crossing and the Brampton Transit authority will reinforce with all of its drivers that they must only enter a level crossing when the exit from the crossing is clear.

But there was considerable damage to the arms on the track and police fear repairing that will take a long time. They're asking motorists to stay away from the area for the time being.

(December 20th, 2008)

Brighton, Ontario: Community against grade separation

Proposals for a grade separated replacement for level crossings on Prince Edward Street, Brighton, Ontario have been debated for twenty or more years with the latest twist being community backlash against the proposed grade separation. This opposition became evident from the public consultation this past autumn which was considered by a local authority committee on December 16th, 2008.

Community objections centre on cost but other issues raised were of an environmental nature or just that it would be better relocated to John Street. A report considered by the Committee made clear that “The public indicated they were prepared to accept the delays and the associated risks with the existing at-grade crossing”.

With evidenced problems of vehicular and pedestrian abuse at the crossings it is recognised that there is a need for all stakeholders to meet and determine a way forward that addresses safety concerns. Next step appears to be another meeting with the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific railways whose lines the grade separation would span in January 2009.

The full Brighton council will consider the way ahead in February 2009.

(December 20th, 2008)

Glamis, California: Union Pacific builds a sand fence

Union Pacific (UP) is urging drivers of off-highway vehicles to keep off the railway at other than authorised level crossings. The call came as UP builds a sand fence to deter off–roaders accessing the railway along the line of route. The warning from UP comes as sand enthusiasts flock to the Imperial Sand Dunes  Recreation Area near Glamis in southern California. Union Pacific has worked closely with the Bureau of Land Management to make sure that access is not severely impacted for enthusiasts.

Also, special attention has been taken to protect the local wildlife.  The fence will leave natural gaps for the Desert Tortoise to migrate naturally throughout its habitat.

(December 19th, 2008)

Columbus, Ohio: More upgrades approved

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) announced on December 17th, 2008 approval for the upgrade of warning devices at level crossings in Allen and Putnam Counties. The approvals directing CSX Transportation (CSX) to install flashing lights and barriers at the Main Street level crossing in the Village of Cairo, Allen County and at the Township Road level crossing in Pleasant Township, Putnam County.

CSX must submit site plans and cost estimates for the projects to the PUCO by March 17th, 2009.Funding for these upgrades will be provided through federal funds. CSX will be responsible for completing construction of the upgrades by December 17th, 2009.

(December 18th, 2008)

New York, New York: level crossing elimination 1903-1918

At the turn of the twentieth century, projects to eliminate level crossings were nothing new. In New York the “The Brooklyn Grade Crossing Elimination Project” ran from 1903 to 1918. The project was necessary as the original urban railways built on viaducts and electrically operated sought to extend their reach through rapidly urbanising suburbs built on what until recently had been farmland traversed by steam railways operating at street level.

The “Brooklyn Grade Crossing Elimination Commission” was created by the state legislature on May 9th, 1903 to provide fully grade separated rights of way for the three lines. The work of the Commission was completed in May 1918.

The work was funded jointly by the City of New York and the railways themselves as a pioneering public - private partnership.

To learn more visit:
http://www.rapidtransit.net/net/gcbook
/images/mindex.htm

(December 17th, 2008)

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) approved the upgrade of an Indiana & Ohio Railway (I&O) to install lights and barriers at the State Howard Street level crossing in the village of Sabina, Ohio.

I&O submitted site plans and cost estimates for the project to the PUCO.

Funding for this upgrade will be provided through federal funds. I&O will be responsible for completing construction of the upgrade by February 2nd, 2009.

To increase public safety during the construction of this upgrade, the PUCO will assist the local government with the cost of improvements such as rumble strips, illumination, improved signage or other safety enhancements at the project location. Funding for these improvements will come from the State Grade Crossing Safety Fund, and will not exceed US$5,000.

(December 17th, 2008)

Los Angeles, California: Sales tax increase approved by voters

A near 68% majority in favour of a 0.5% increase in sales tax to fund transport improvements has been approved by voters in Los Angeles County. The vote in favour of what has been called “Measure R” means that the increased rate of sales tax will take effect on July 1st, 2008.

The extra 0.5% is expected to raise more than US$650m in the first year. Detailed financial plans and implementation strategies for the transport projects that this will fund will be considered at the January 2009 meeting of the Los Angeles County Metro Board.

The draft plan includes transport projects valued at US$152 billion for delivery by 2030. More immediately “Measure R” funding is slated to cover an initial US$458m extension of the Gold Line's from East Pasadena to Azusa work on which is likely to start in 2010 with completion scheduled for 2013.

It is also expected that priority will be given to helping fund Metrolink’s ongoing US$120m level crossing safety improvement programme.

Federal and state funding will still be required. Although how the state’s contribution will be affected by the budget deficit now afflicting California is not yet known. Likewise, there is as yet no clarity as to whether the incoming administration will restore the upper limit from the 50% of capital costs seen under the Bush administration to the 80% possible in the Carter years.

(December 15th, 2008)

The Michigan Senate passed Bill 1375 on December 11th, 2008 to vary existing legislation to provide for “not more than US$3m as may be annually appropriated each fiscal year to the state trunk line fund for subsequent deposit in the grade crossing surface account”.

The legislative update provides for expenditure on level crossing surface improvement purposes at crossings on public roads and streets under the jurisdiction of the control of local authorities. Projects will be prioritised to take account of road traffic volumes, level crossing surface condition and the ability of the rail and local road authorities being able to make coordinated improvements.

The “grade crossing surface account” will fund 60% of the costs subject to the railway concerned funding the other 40%. State funding will be limited to those items of work normally the responsibility of the railway. Maintenance of the highway approaches to the crossing will continue to be the responsibility of the party currently responsible.

(December 15th, 2008)

Galloway, Alberta: Tourist train strikes car on passive crossing

Via Rail’s premier tourist train, “The Canadian”, collided with a car on a rural passive level crossing with warning and stop signs in Galloway, Alberta. The sole occupant of the car was killed in the collision some 230kms West of Edmonton which occurred in the evening of December 14th, 2008.

Madera, California: Unmanned road vehicle hit

A Union Pacific Railroad train struck an unoccupied road vehicle on the level crossing on East Olive Avenue near the intersection with South Gateway Drive. The incident occurred at the active level crossing in the small hours of December 14th, 2008.

(December 15th, 2008)

Michigan City, Indiana: New road, new level crossing

Plans to give better access to the lake front in Michigan City, Indiana are likely to be delivered by a much delayed construction project beginning in summer 2009. The most likely scenario is that which sees a new level crossing on an extension of Lake Avenue through to US 12.

Integral to the project is the closure of the level crossing on Center Street in exchange for the proposed level crossing on Lake Avenue which has featured in Michigan City’s master plan for twenty years. At one time thinking was that a grade separated crossing of the railway would be pursued. However, this was rejected because of costs estimated to be in the region of US$5m. Now, agreement of the Indiana Department of Transportation and rail authorities needs to be put in place.

The second project to provide better access to the lake front at Crescent Dune remains an aspiration as there are still issues to resolve concerning how the railway is to be crossed and how the new the road traverses National Park land. Interestingly the National Park system says that its land is open to the public. However, is this disingenuous when unauthorised crossing of the railway is required?

(December 14th, 2008)

Buenos Aires, Argentina: Headphones on and oblivious to trains

A 26 year-old man was killed when struck by a train in Buenos Aires. Reports suggest that the accident which occurred in the small hours of December 12th, 2008 accident near Saavedra staion was a function of the victim having accessed the railway right of way at a nearby level crossing.

The victim, it is further suggested, didn’t hear the train coming as he was listening to music with headphones on.

(December 13th, 2008)

Los Angeles, California : Changes in safety practices are needed

The Board of the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) Board, which initiated a peer review of safety following the September 12th, 2008 collision between a Metrolink passenger service with a freight train which claimed 25 lives, has received a report which calls for major changes. The presentation of the Metrolink Commuter Rail Safety Peer Review Panel on December 12th, 2008 calls for development of a positive safety culture, organisational change, enhanced governance, better safety performance measurement along with automatic train protection and enhanced infrastructure.

In so far as the latter is concerned, the peer review recommends that more level crossings are eliminated through grade

separation and that the “sealed corridor” approach is pushed forward. Currently there are 433 level crossings on the Metrolink system which has 631 track miles spread across five counties in Southern California.

The full peer review report will be available to the SCRRA Board in January 2009 with a follow-up peer review scheduled for six months time.

(December 12th, 2008)

The Board of New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) on December 10th, 2008 approved the letting of a contract to Jacobs Engineering Group to develop the detailed design for the first 7.3 mile, US$36.6m, stretch of what is intended to be an 88 mile, US$551m, restoration of the rail route to Scranton in Pennsylvania. Known as the Lackawanna cut-off, the rail route will when complete ease highway traffic congestion.

The construction of a single track rail line between is currently unscheduled. However, proponents of the Lackawanna Cutoff project believe it should begin in 2010 when the design phase is scheduled for completion.

The new line will have a single public level crossing at Brooklyn Road in Stanhope, New Jersey.

The announcement of the award of the design contract came three months after the Federal Transit Administration issued a finding that allowed the first stage of the Lackawanna Cutoff project to proceed.

(December 11th, 2008)

Standardised upgrades of level crossings in Tolosa are now being delivered. The work includes complete renovation of the highway across the railway along with enhanced signage and improved pedestrian facilities.

(December 11th, 2008)

Tolosa, upgraded crossing

Malabar, California: Is nine the record?

The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) Harbor sub-division in California is a shadow of its former self. However, in Malabar it is still possible to find crossbucks at a level crossing on 49th Street referring to nine tracks. Is this a record or are there public level crossings that span more than nine tracks?

(December 10th, 2008)

Carroll County, Iowa: Level crossing replacing a bridge!

Closure of a bridge over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) on 305thStreet in Dedham, Carroll County, Iowa, is stalled despite part of the near one hundred year-old structure's wooden deck needing partial replacement following a collapse in 2007.

The closure of the BNSF owned bridge has unusually become associated with its replacement by a new active level crossing at a cost quoted by Carroll County of US$120,000.

However, the project is deferred as BNSF has put all such projects on hold until January 2009 when the business case for this project will be reviewed.

(December 10th, 2008)

The disused level crossing on Jackson Street, Rutherford, Bergen County, New Jersey was eliminated when the roadway over the crossing was replaced by New Jersey’s Department of Transportation (NJDOT) on December 10th, 2008.

The cost of this work, funded by NJDOT was US$24,600. 

This project forms part of NJDOT’s ongoing level crossing safety programme to repair and upgrade 30 crossings each year.  www.NJ511.info

(December 10th, 2008)

Franklin, North Carolina: Winston Street crossing eliminated

North Carolina’s Department Of Transportation (NCDOT) permanently closed a level crossing on Winston Street near Franklinton on December 9th, 2008.

The crossing had been identified for closure as part of the department’s effort to reduce the number of redundant or unsafe crossings throughout the state.

(December 9th, 2008)

Cary, Illinois: Motorist escapes before his car is hit

A lunchtime collision with a car on the level crossing on Three Oaks Road at the intersection with Union Pacific infrastructure delayed train services for up to an hour on December 9th, 2008.

Fortunately, the motorist escaped injury as he was able to exit his vehicle before the collision. Cary Police said the westbound male driver lost control and skidded onto the railway.

To view the location of this incident on Google Earth™, go to coordinates 42° 13’ 08.59” N / 88° 15’ 40.42” W.

(December 9th, 2008)

Springfield, Illinois: Obama’s team receives state’s wish list

Illinois Governer Rod Blagojevich has announced that he has responded to President-elect Barack Obama’s commitment to a large scale public works programme to stimulate the economy as with the “new deal” of the 1930’s. Pre-empting the Federal stimulus package which appears certain to follow next month’s inauguration the Illinois administration has put together a list of some 300 transport infrastructure projects which have been costed at US$2.37b to completion. These works are said to have the potential to create about 94,000 jobs.

Let’s hope that some of the expected funding addresses some level crossing upgrades and grade separations needed across the state, particularly where there are opportunities to develop higher-speed passenger rail services.

(December 9th, 2008)

A youth, perhaps 14 years-old, was killed when hit by a freight train on a level crossing in Quitilipi, Argentina. The accident which happened on the night of Saturday December 6th, 2008 occurred not long after the conclusion of a level crossing and trespass awareness event understood to have been organised by

Argentina’s Operation Lifesaver within 500m of the scene of the accident.

(December 8th, 2008)

Kelso, Washington: No overbridge, no riverside park

The Kelso City Council has decided not to build a pedestrian bridge over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) aborting plans for a riverside park in the process.

At present there is no formal access to the river front area beyond the railway, resulting in this being a known trespass hotspot. Indeed BNSF has asked that local police issue citations for trespass.

The costs of a pedestrian bridge over the BNSF railway has been estimated as being in the range of US$0.5m and US$1m to which

would need to be added costs of fencing the railway to counter trespass and promote use of the bridge.

In accordance with established policy, BNSF will not sanction installation of a level crossing even though the city received a US$0.3m grant for that purpose. Now, with the bridge unaffordable and there being no possibility of installing a level crossing, the city authorities are seeing if they can use the grant for other projects or whether it will lapse if not used for its originally intended purpose.

(December 8th, 2008)

Arvada, Colorado: A community reunited

The opening of bridges across the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) and the Wadsworth bypass highway at a cost of US$32m has done much to eliminate the delays spent waiting for the level crossing to open and the hazard of negotiating street level highway intersections.

The project which saw the new bridges opened to traffic on December 8th, 2008 takes both Grandview Avenue and the BNSF rail route over the intersection with the Wadsworth bypass.

Hitherto trains have regularly closed the level crossing for five minutes with resultant traffic congestion taking up to four times as long to clear.

(December 8th, 2008)

Should Federal funding flow as expected when the new administration takes office in January 2009, the City of Columbia, Missouri anticipates it will secure the more than US$6m needed to build a railway bridge over US highway 63. The bridge would benefit motorists and the city owned COLT short-line. The alternative if the Federal money fails to materialise is to make do and mend the level crossing.

This project is one of 35 projects across the state that can proceed if the expected economic stimulus package is enacted. In total Missouri’s projects already on starting blocks are expected to create some 14,000 jobs with a net benefit to the state economy of US$2.4b.

The level crossing the city would like to eliminate has an accident history and is currently exempt from the legal requirement that buses and vehicles conveying hazardous cargo come to a complete stop in order that they can better determine if it is safe for them to cross.

(December 5th, 2008)

Montevideo, Uruguay: Widespread upgrades under way

Waiting times for motorists at level crossings are being reduced at 75 level crossings in the greater Montevideo area of Uruguay. This is achieved by moving from track circuit to predictor detection of approaching trains. Additionally the level crossings are all

being refurbished with enhanced signage and better pedestrian facilities.

(December 5th, 2008)

Buenos Aires, Argentina: Locals reap the benefit for Fernando

For many people in Argentina a long drink of Fernet Branca and Coca-Cola on ice, known locally as a Fernando, is a favourite. So when a truck carrying literally thousands of bottles of Fernet Branca was hit by a passenger train on a level crossing, local people saw it as manna from heaven. Indeed, for many liberating the booze came before freeing the injured truck driver or seeing to the needs of those on the train who were injured when it derailed. The accident happened in the La Paternal district of Buenos Aires on December 4th, 2008

(December 5th, 2008)

A switchman working for the Denver Rock Island Railroad was killed when he became trapped between the locomotive on which he was riding and a truck which had entered the level crossing when it was not clear for it so to do. The level crossing concerned is passive and located in Denver on E 66th Avenue near the intersection with Franklin Street. This accident occurred during the afternoon of December 3rd, 2008.

To see the location of this crossing in context on Google Earth™, go to coordinates 39° 48’ 58.69” N / 104° 58’ 10.33” W.

(December 5th, 2008)

Shirley, New York: Man airlifted to hospital in small hours

A man who was intent on crossing the railway even though the level crossing barriers were down was hit by a train and taken to hospital by helicopter. The accident happened in the small of hours of the morning on December 5th, 2008 at the William Floyd Parkway level crossing, in Shirley, Suffolk County, New York.

The protected level crossing is on the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) and involved an unscheduled train operating in support of railway engineering activity.

(December 5th, 2008)

Wayne, West Virginia: Mini-van hits side of train, two dead

A pre-dawn collision with the side of a coal train at a level crossing on highway 152, four miles North of Wayne, West Virginia claimed the lives of two women, one of which was the driver and seriously injured two teenage passengers.

Reports attributed to the Sheriff’s accident investigators say that the mini-van was heading south and that there are skid marks on the approach to the level crossing. It is further reported that a witness has said that the lights at the crossing on Norfolk

Southern infrastructure were flashing when the accident occurred. Norfolk Southern maintenance staff confirmed post-accident that the lights were working correctly.

To view this level crossing on Google Earth™, go to coordinates 38° 15’ 33.39” N / 82° 26’ 41.63” W.

(December 2nd, 2008)

An 84-year-old visitor was the fourth person to die on level crossings in Livingston Parish in the past year. The latest accident occurred in daylight on November 30th, 2008 when the van in which the motorist was travelling was struck by a freight train on the East Railroad Avenue level crossing of Canadian National infrastructure. This and adjacent level crossings provide access to US Highway 190 which parallels the railway.

To view the relationship of the highay, East Railroad Avenue and the railway on Google Earth™ go to coordinates 30° 30’ 12.96” N / 90° 44’ 17.17” W.

The crossing at which this accident occurred is passive and only equipped with warning signs.

(December 1st, 2008)

El Paso, Texas: Military doubles fines for level crossing offences

Military authorities at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas have roundly doubled fines that apply to some 100 traffic offences, including those at level crossings. The new fines approved by a US District Judge which were proposed by military prosecutors based at Fort Bliss were introduced on November 24th, 2008 and also apply at other military facilities.

The tariff at level crossings is:

• Failure to Obey Railroad Crossing Signal / Device, US$100.00
• Failure to Stop at Railroad Grade Crossing, US$100.00

• Failure to Stop at Railroad Grade Crossing, (Bus) US$125.00
• Failure to Stop at Railroad Grade Crossing, (School Bus) US$135.00

A standard processing fee of US$25 is also payable.

(December 1st, 2008)