ICC Approves Rail Safety Upgrades in Stephenson County
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
Illinois Commerce Commission (courtesy ICC)
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has approved rail safety upgrades at crossings in Stephenson County.
The ICC authorized the upgrades at the Five Corners Rd and Crossroads Rd crossings of Chicago, Central & Pacific Railroads’ (CC&P) tracks near Lena. The cost to design, construct, and install the new automatic warning signals is $1,131,598. Additionally, the cost to rehabilitate the existing roadway approaches is $50,802. The Grade Crossing Protection Fund will pay 100% of the approach costs and 95% of the signal costs, not exceeding $1,075,018.
CC&P will reportedly pay the remaining 5% and any future warning signal maintenance costs. Work must be completed within 18 months from the order date.
ICC Commissioner Michael T. Carrigan said, “The Grade Crossing Protection Fund helps make critical public safety projects like the ones in Lena a reality for communities all over Illinois. . . Warning signals, roadway approaches, and other improvements to Illinois’ existing railroad infrastructure is an important measure for preventing train collisions, keeping anyone who crosses train tracks safer.”
