Crossings: Ohio commission OKs five projects, UP launches billboard campaign

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio recently approved construction authorization from the Ohio Rail Development Commission for the installation of flashing lights and gates at five grade crossings in four counties.

CSX Transportation will install mast-mounted flashing lights and roadway gates at the Freyburg Drive/Township Road 110 crossing in Pusheta Township; Young Road/County Road 65 and Shaffer Road/Township Road 159 crossings in Darke County; and Lockington Road/County Road 132 crossing in Shelby County.

Norfolk Southern Railway will install mast-mounted flashing lights and roadway gates at the East Broadway Street crossing in Stark County.

The railroads must complete the upgrades by Feb. 17, 2014. Funding for the work will be covered by federal dollars.

Meanwhile, Union Pacific Railroad has unveiled a billboard campaign aimed at encouraging motorists and pedestrians to cross tracks only at approved grade crossings.

At the center of the campaign are billboards that include such safety tips as "Always expect a train," "Trains travel 41 feet in the blink of an eye. Look again," and "Some shortcuts cut your life short." The campaign also features Spanish-language billboards.

UP plans to display the billboards during the next six months in 12 cities in California, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota and Texas.

"Engaging people with these billboards will support our broad public outreach and education activities as we strive to foster safe behaviors and safe communities," said Lance Fritz, UP's executive vice president of operations, in a press release.