The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) recently approved funding authorization from the Ohio Rail Development Commission directing CSX Transportation to install roadway gates and mast-mounted flashing lights at the following eight crossings.
- Martel Road/County Road 171, near Martel (262-048A)
- Pole Lane Road/County Road 174, near Marion (262-064J)
- Linn-Hipsher Road/County Road 195, near Caledonia (262-050B)
- Marseilles-Galion Road/County Road 26, near Galion (262-047T)
- Iberia-Bucyrus Road/State Route 100, near Galion (262-045E)
- Nesbitt Road/TR 177, Claridon Township (262-057Y)
- Columbus-Sandusky Road/State Route 98, near Marion (262-062V)
- Water Street, village of Caledonia (262-053W)
The upgrades are to be completed no later than March 17, 2016 and will be paid for with federal funds.
To increase public safety during the construction of the project, the local government may apply with the PUCO for assistance with the cost of safety improvements such as rumble strips, illumination, improved signage or other enhancements at the project location. Funding for these improvements will come from the State Grade Crossing Safety Fund and will not exceed $5,000.
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 123 in 2001 to 63 in 2013.
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 http://gradecrossings.puco.ohio.gov/.
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