Ohio panel OKs grade crossing projects

Rail News Home Communication and Signal 3/12/2020 Rail News: Communication and Signal
NS will install LED lights at the County Road D and the Fulton Street crossings in Fulton County, Ohio.Photo – Norfolk Southern Railway

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) yesterday approved the installation of lights and gates at five grade crossings in Ohio. 

The PUCO approved construction authorization from the Ohio Rail Development Commission directing Norfolk Southern Railway, Grand Trunk Western Railroad (GTW) and Indiana & Ohio Railway (IORY) to make upgrades at crossings in Allen, Fulton and Lucas counties by Dec. 11.

NS will install LED lights at the County Road D and the Fulton Street crossings in Fulton County, and GTW will install lights and gates at the New York Avenue crossing in Lucas County.

IORY will install lights and gates at the County Road M crossing in Fulton County and the East Hume Road/TR 144 crossing in Allen County.

PUCO will provide some funding for the projects through the State Grade Crossing Safety Fund, which provides funding up to $5,000 per project.

The commission is responsible for evaluating Ohio’s public crossings to determine the need for installing active warning devices.