The Illinois Commerce Commission issued an order this week granting EJ&E Railroad permission to install a second track between Joliet and New Lenox Township to accommodate an increase in rail traffic.

The new track will encompass seven grade crossings over public roads on this route. Those grade crossings include North Rowell Avenue, Mills Road, South Rowell Avenue, Country Club Road (Spencer Road), Briggs Street, Cherry Hill Road North and Cherry Hill Road South and Gougar Road.

EJ&E will pay for the construction of the second track, approach work and warning devices and the project must be completed within 12 months per the Commission's order.

The ICC also approved work on 14 grade crossings in several Illinois counties:

New automatic flashing light signals and gates with constant warning time circuitry will be installed at two grade crossings of Norfolk Southern's track in Sangamon County and at two grade crossings of Norfolk Southern's track in Macon County.

New signals will be installed at the Wyckles Road grade crossing near Harristown and at Broadway Street in Niantic, Macon County and at the 3rd Street and 5th Street crossings in Riverton, Sangamon County.

The total cost of the projects is estimated at $1,023,443. The Commission approved the expenditure of $921,099 from the Grade Crossing Protection Fund (GCPF) to pay for 90 percent of the installation costs. Norfolk Southern will pay the remaining installation costs, and will be responsible for the all future operating and maintenance costs associated with the new warning devices.

Automatic flashing light signals and gates, controlled by constant warning time circuitry will be installed at four grade crossings of Norfolk Southern's track in Champaign and Piatt counties.

New signals and gates will be installed at the 2300E Road crossing near Sidney, the Seymour Road crossing near Sadorus and the 100E Road crossing near Ivesdale all in Champaign County, as well as the 1200E Road crossing near Bement in Piatt County.

The GCPF will be used to pay approximately 90 percent of the installation costs, $844,718, and Norfolk Southern will pay all remaining installation costs, or $93,857. The company also will be responsible for all future operating and maintenance costs associated with the new automatic warning signals. The projects must be completed within 18 months.

New automatic flashing light signals and gates with constant warning time circuitry will be installed at the State Line Road, Poland Road, 2050 E Road and Park Street grade crossings of Norfolk Southern's track in Vermilion County.

The State Line, Poland Road and 2050 E Road crossings are located near Danville. The Park Street crossing is in Fairmount.

The total estimated cost for installation of the new automatic warning devices is $934,262. The Grade Crossing Protection Fund (GCPF) will be used to pay 90 percent of the signal installation costs, not to exceed $840,836. Norfolk Southern will pay all remaining installation costs, as well as all future operating and maintenance costs related to the new automatic warning devices.

The signal installation work is to be completed within 18 months, according to the Commission order.

CSX Transportation will begin work on railroad grade crossing improvements at Mill Street in Collinsville and Springfield Street in Paris.

The estimated cost of the two projects, which involve installing new crossing surfaces, is $165,046. Assistance from the Grade Crossing Protection Fund will be used to reimburse CSX for the cost of materials to renew the surfaces at both crossings. The railroad will be responsible for all labor costs associated with the surface renewals. Work is to be completed within nine months in accordance with the Commission's order.

The Mill Street railroad grade crossing in Collinsville is equipped with automatic flashing light signals and gates. The Springfield Street railroad grade crossing in Paris is equipped with automatic flashing light signals.