Illinois Commerce Commission commits $3 million for highway-rail crossing safety improvements

ICC

The Illinois Commerce Commission has made a major investment in the improvement of 11 grade crossings in the state.

On June 23rd, the Illinois Commerce Commission approved three Stipulated Agreements authorizing the use of approximately $3.1 million in Grade Crossing Protection Funds to help pay for the installation of automatic warning devices at eleven highway-rail grade crossings of the Iowa Interstate Railroad Tracks (IAIS) in Bureau, LaSalle, Putnam, and Rock Island counties.

“Public safety near and around trains is a high priority for the Illinois Commerce Commission. Installing automatic warning devices at these crossings will provide pedestrians, motorists, and rail employees with greater protection. The allocation of Grade Crossing Protection Funds enables project like these to become a reality,” said ICC Commissioner Carrie Zalewski.

Stipulated Agreement 2208 requires theinstallation of new automatic flashing light signals and gates at four crossings of the IAIS in Peru, (LaSalle County) Illinois. The crossings are located on Pine Street (AAR/DOT #603825Y, railroad milepost 99.82), Plain Street (AAR/DOT #603827M, railroad milepost 100.10), Putnam Street (AAR/DOT #603828U, railroad milepost 100.48); and Pike Street (AAR/DOT #603829B, railroad milepost 100.75). To read Stipulated Agreement 2208 in Docket No. T22-0078 click here.

Stipulated Agreement 2217 requires the installation of new automatic flashing light signals and gates at four crossings of the IAIS in Bureau County. The crossings are located at Depot Street in De Pue (AAR/DOT #603839G, railroad milepost 109.94), East Street in De Pue (AAR/DOT #603840B railroad milepost 110.20), East Nebraska Street in Bureau Junction (AAR/DOT #863542S, railroad milepost 114.17), East Main Street in Tiskilwa (AAR/DOT #863552X, railroad milepost 122.36). To learn more about Stipulated Agreement 2217 in Docket No. T22-0077 click here

Stipulated Agreement 2218 requires the installation of new automatic flashing light signals and gates at three crossings in Putnam, Marshall, and Rock Island Counties. The crossings are located at Main Street (AAR/DOT #603960S, railroad milepost 121.97) near Bureau, in Putnam County, CR 1450 North (AAR/DOT #603969D, railroad milepost 125.93) near Henry, MarshallCounty, and at North 1st Avenue (AAR/DOT #916106D, railroad milepost 171.80) in Carbon Cliff, Rock Island County. The terms of Stipulated Agreement 2218 in Docket No. T22-0076 can be found here.

The total combined estimated cost of the new automatic warning devices is $3,300,000. Staff recommended that the Grade Crossing Protection Fund be used to pay 95% of the signal design and installation costs, not to exceed $3,135,000. IAIS will pay all remaining signal design and installation costs and all future operating and maintenance costs related to the new automatic warning devices at the crossings.

All work is to be completed within eighteen (18) months of the Order date.

Read more articles about grade crossings.

For brief news updates and commentary, please follow me on Twitter @davidclesterRTS.