Crossing improvement projects advance in Ohio, Montana

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio recently approved construction authorization directing three railroads to improve grade crossings in Licking, Stark and Wood counties.

Columbus & Ohio River Railroad will install mast-mounted flashing lights and roadway gates at the 30th Street crossing in Newark. Work must be completed by April 2, 2014.

Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Co. will install mast-mounted flashing lights and roadway gates at the Park Street crossing in Navarre, with work also slated for completion by April 2, 2014.

And CSX Transportation will modernize the warning system at the U.S. 20/Fremont Pike crossing in Wood County. That project must be completed by Jan. 3, 2014.

Meanwhile, the Montana Department of Transportation is seeking public comments on the proposed installation of signals, flashing lights and gates at the County Road 128 crossing near Sidney to improve safety at the highway/rail intersection.

The project, which is tentatively slated to start in spring 2014, would be completed in conjunction with BNSF Railway Co. The DOT would provide funding and BNSF would perform the work.