Ohio commission OKs safety improvements at 11 crossings

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) yesterday approved construction authorization from the Ohio Rail Development Commission directing CSX, Norfolk Southern Railway and the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Co. (WLE) to improve safety devices at four grade crossings.

CSX will upgrade lights to LED, add bells and relocate warning devices at the Erie Street crossing in Willoughby, and install lights with bells at the Muth Road crossing in Lordstown.

NS will install new lights and gates at the Bertha Avenue crossing in Portsmouth, while WLE will install lights/gates and advanced traffic preemption devices at the Castle Boulevard crossing in Akron.

PUCO directed CSX and NS to complete all work by Jan. 9, 2020, and WLE to finish work by Oct. 9, 2019. Federal funding will cover the cost of all upgrades.

The commission also authorized NS to upgrade active warning devices at seven crossings in Ross County. NS must install LED lighting and controls by Jan. 9, 2020.

Federal funding will cover 75 percent of project costs and NS will provide the remainder.