Illinois panel OKs funding for 1,400 grade crossing improvements

Rail News Home Maintenance Of Way 4/3/2020 Rail News: Maintenance Of Way
An Amtrak train traveled through an upgraded high-speed rail crossing in Williamsville, Illinois, in September 2019.Photo – JJ11 / Shutterstock.com

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) earlier this week approved a five-year, $315 million plan for grade crossing safety capital projects across the state.

The funds will be dispersed by the Grade Crossing Protection Fund to help local communities and railroads pay for safety improvements at more than 1,400 crossings during fiscal years 2021-2025, ICC officials said in a press release.

"Rail crossing safety has always been a top priority of the Illinois Commerce Commission to prevent the loss of life due to train-related collisions," said ICC Chairman Carrie Zalewski.

The five-year plan proposes funding for 23 highway-rail bridge projects, four pedestrian-rail bridge projects, more than 330 grade crossing projects and lower-cost improvements at more than 1,000 crossing locations.

The full list of projects is available through this link.

For more information about the ICC and other grade crossing improvement trends, read this feature in the January edition of Progressive Railroading.