Ten crossings slated for upgrades in Ohio

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) yesterday approved upgrades at eight grade crossings in four counties.

Ann Arbor Railroad will upgrade eight-inch incandescent lights to 12-inch LED lights at five crossings along Erie, Albany, Summit and Chase streets in Toledo. Funding will be shared by PUCO and the railroad, which must complete the work by March 26, 2015.

CSX Transportation will install mast-mounted flashing lights and roadway gates at the Green Road/Township Road 108 crossing in Seneca County and Reitz Road/Township Road 101 crossing in Wood County, and Norfolk Southern Railway will install mast-mounted flashing lights and roadway gates at the Keystone Street crossing in Alliance.

The Class Is will be responsible for completing their projects by Dec. 26. Funding for the work will be covered by federal dollars.

Meanwhile, the West Central Ohio Port Authority (WESTCO) announced plans to use a federal grant to add warning signals and gates to crossings in South Charleston and Madison Township, Ohio. The project is estimated to cost $567,000, according to WESTCO, which owns 94 miles of track in five counties.

WESTCO's partners include the Indiana & Ohio Railway Co., which operates the track; Genesee & Wyoming Inc., which owns the Indiana & Ohio; PUCO; and the Ohio Rail Development Commission.