Ohio panel OKs crossing upgrades in two counties

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has approved safety upgrades at grade crossings in Lucas and Washington counties.

Chemtrade Refinery Solutions Ltd. will install flashing lights and gates at a CSX-operated crossing on Otter Creek Road in Oregon in Lucas County. The work — which must be completed by Nov. 1, 2024 — will be covered by $289,872 in federal funds.

Belpre Industrial Parkersburg Railroad will install flashing lights and gates at the Trunk Road 482/Gravel Bank Road crossing in Warren Township in Washington County. Federal funds totaling $311,971 will pay for the upgrades, which must be completed by Nov. 1, 2024.

PUCO is responsible for evaluating Ohio’s public crossings to determine the need for installing active warning devices. Since the commission began that work, the number of crossing accidents in the state on an annual basis dropped from 356 in 1990 to 61 in 2022.