Rail Crossing Safety Upgrades Approved in Muskingum and Warren Counties
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
PUCO
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, PUCO, approved rail crossing upgrades in Muskingum and Warren counties.
PUCO announced it has approved these upgrades for crossings located at five locations in Muskingum County and two locations in Warren County.
Muskingum County
Train detection devices will be installed at five locations by Muskingum County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), Columbus & Ohio River Railroad Co., Ohio Southern Railroad, Inc., and Ohio Central Railroad, Inc. The project is expected to cost $101,775 with 100% of the funds covered from the State Grade Crossing Protection Fund.
SCADA, or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, systems will be installed at grade crossings on SR 719, East Main Street, Main Street, Linden Avenue, and State Street. These will detect “if a crossing is occupied by a train and alerts 911 dispatchers to reroute emergency responders during emergency runs.”
PUCO Chair Jenifer French said, “Every second counts in an emergency. Emergency responders face delays when encountering blocked railroad crossings. . . Installing communication systems will help the city of Zanesville and Muskingum County EMA minimize future emergency response delays. If this system is successful in aiding the blocked crossing issue for them, we anticipate that other communities might apply for assistance.”
Warren County
Norfolk Southern will install advanced traffic preemption at the S. River Street and S. Main Street grade crossings. This is a system “that allows trains to temporarily override traffic signals to ensure the safe and timely movement of vehicles away from the tracks before a train arrives.” The project is expected to be federally funded with $633,314.
