Ohio, Washington state regulators OK funds for grade-crossing projects

Earlier this week, state regulators in Ohio and Washington approved funding for safety upgrades at grade crossings.

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) approved a subsidy agreement to allow OHI-Rail Corp. to make upgrades at two crossings in Carroll and Stark counties, commission officials said in a press release.

The PUCO will provide the funds from the State Grade Crossing Protection Fund to cover part of the projects' costs.

OHI-Rail will use the funding to upgrade LED lights at the Line Street grade crossing in Minerva, Carroll County; and upgrade LED lights at the Bonnie View Avenue crossing in Minerva, Stark County. Both projects will be completed by Nov. 21, 2020.

The PUCO is responsible for evaluating Ohio’s public crossings to determine the need for installing active warning devices. Funding from the State Grade Crossing Protection Fund may not exceed $5,000 per project.

Meanwhile, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission approved nearly $120,000 in grants for the Central Washington Railroad Co. to make improvements at 20 crossings in eastern Washington.

The commission approved Grade Crossing Protective Fund grants for battery replacements at 18 crossings and battery replacements and LED warning light upgrades at two crossings, commission officials said in a press release.

The grants range between $5,100 and $5,700.