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The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) recently approved construction authorization from the Ohio Rail Development Commission directing the Chicago, Ft. Wayne & Eastern Railway (CFE) and Ann Arbor Railroad (AAR) to install flashing lights and roadway gates at grade crossings in Bath Township and Toledo.

The railroads must submit site plans and cost estimates to PUCO by Feb. 8, 2011, and complete all upgrades by Nov. 10, 2011. Funding for both projects will be covered by federal dollars.

Meanwhile, the Iowa Transportation Commission recently approved plans for statewide crossing surface improvements in 2011 and 2012, and crossing safety improvements in 2012.

Surface improvements proposed at various crossings next year will receive about $900,000 in state funds; surface improvements planned in 2012 will receive about $870,000 in state funds.

The crossing safety improvements pegged for 2012 call for installing signals with gate arms or constant warning devices at 20 locations, and closing various crossings. The projects will receive about $3.7 million in federal funds.