PUCO Approves Rail Crossing Upgrades in Butler County

Written by Carolina Worrell, Senior Editor, Railway Age
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The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) on May 17 approved safety upgrades at a rail crossing in Butler County.

According to PUCO, CSX Transportation will install flashing lights and gates at the Stout Road grade crossing in Oxford Township, Butler County, by May 17, 2024. Federal funds will pay $303,821 to complete the upgrades.

To increase public safety during the construction of the project, PUCO says local governments may seek funding from the Commission for the cost of safety improvements, such as rumble strips, illumination, improved signage or other enhancements at project locations. Funding for such improvements comes from the State Grade Crossing Safety fund and may not exceed $5,000 per project.

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

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