Ohio utilities commission OKs 11 crossing projects

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) on Wednesday approved 11 grade crossing projects in seven counties.

Norfolk Southern Railway will install mast-mounted flashing lights and roadway gates at six crossings in Lockland, Rice Township, Sandusky and Sharonville; CSX Transportation will install mast-mounted flashing lights and gates at two crossings in Jackson Township and Trenton; and Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway Co. will install mast-mounted flashing lights and gates at two crossings in Brimfield Township.

All work must be completed by April 9, 2015, except upgrades to the CSX crossing at Morganthaler Road in Trenton, which must be finished by January 9, 2016. All the projects will be funded by federal dollars.

PUCO also approved a petition filed by NS to close the Stores Road/Township Road 159 crossing in Brown Township. The crossing will be discontinued within 30 days.

In addition, PUCO will conduct two public hearings in Gallon July 15 to review CSX's petition to close the County Road 8 crossing in Washington Township.