The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approves rail crossing upgrades in four counties
Written by David C. Lester, Editor-in-Chief
Public Utilities Commission of Ohio grants money for grade crossing improvements.
Operation Lifesaver, Inc.
Last week, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) approved safety upgrades at rail crossings in Columbiana, Lorain, Tuscarawas and Union counties.
Norfolk Southern Railway will install gates and flashing lights at the Walter Street grade crossing in the city of East Liverpool, Columbiana County, by April 27, 2023. Total funding approved for this project is $402,613.
Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad will install gates and flashing lights at the Eberhart Road grade crossing in Lawrence Township, Tuscarawas County, by April 27, 2023. Total funding approved for this project is $279,697.02.
CSX Transportation will make the following upgrades:
- Reconstruct the crossing surface and upgrade to LED lights at the S.R. 57 grade crossing in the village of Grafton, Lorain County, by January 27, 2023. Total funding approved for this project is $70,480.
- Install gates and flashing lights at the Morse Road grade crossing in Liberty Township, Union County, by April 27, 2023. Total funding for approved for this project is $284,207.
Federal funding will be provided for these upgrades.
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 67 in 2020.
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.
Read more articles about grade crossings.
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