Ohio commission OKs rail crossing improvements

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) last week approved proposed rail-crossing improvement projects in Fulton, Hardin, Medina, Portage and Stark counties.

In Fulton County, Norfolk Southern Railway will upgrade light and gate circuitry, including new LED lights at the South Munson Road grade crossing in Swanton.

In Hardin County, the Chicago, Ft. Wayne & Eastern Railroad will install lights and gates at the Van Atta Road/Township Road 55 grade crossing in Liberty Township.

In Medina County, the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway (WLE) will reconstruct the crossing surface and install new lights and gates at the Garver Road/Township Road 177 grade crossing in Chatham Township.

In Portage County, WLE will reconstruct the crossing surface and install new lights and gates at the Seasons Road/Township Road 157 crossing in Franklin Township.

And in Stark County, WLE will install lights and gates at the Riverland Avenue/Township Road 298 crossing in Bethlehem Township.

Projects in Fulton, Hardin and Portage counties are to be completed by Aug. 21, 2018. The cost of those projects will be covered by federal funds.

Projects in Medina and Stark counties are to be completed by Nov. 21, 2018. The PUCO and the railroad will share the costs of those projects, PUCO officials said in a press release.