Ohio Rail Crossing Upgrades in Ashtabula and Warren Counties

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, or PUCO, approved safety upgrades at rail crossings in both Ashtabula and Warren counties in Ohio.

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, or PUCO, approved safety upgrades at rail crossings in both Ashtabula and Warren counties in Ohio. In Ashtabula County, Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad, or BLE, was granted an extension to install flashing lights and gates at the Middle Road grade crossing. The extension is until May 1, 2024, and $428,825 in federal funds will go toward the upgrades.

In Warren County, Indiana & Ohio Railway (IORY) will install both flashing lights and gates as well as a new grade crossing surface at the Pleasant Renner Road/T.R. 172 grade crossing by November 30, 2024. IORY will pay $46,798 toward the total project cost of $370,244. Additionally, $323,446 in federal funds will go toward the upgrades.

Funding for safety improvements including rumble strips, illumination, improved signage, and other improvements will be provided via the State Grade Crossing Safety Fund and may not exceed $5,000 per project.

“The PUCO is responsible for evaluating Ohio’s public grade crossings to determine the need for installing active warning devices. Since the PUCO began implementing these evaluations, the annual number of train-motor vehicle crashes in Ohio has decreased significantly, from 356 in 1990 to 61 in 2022.

“The Ohio Rail Hotline, at (866) 814-RAIL (7245), provides Ohioans with a toll-free resource for all railroad crossing questions. For more information regarding these crossings, access the Ohio railroad information system website at gradecrossings.puco.ohio.gov.”