Illinois panel OKs grade crossing improvements, closings

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) last month approved several projects to improve or close grade crossings, with some funding being contributed toward costs through the state's Grade Crossing Protection Fund (GCPF).

Funding and projects approved included:

• Installation of automatic flashing lights, signals and gates at three crossings of Norfolk Southern Railway tracks near Mount Carmel in Wabash County. The cost for the new automatic warning devices at all three crossings is $1,302,519. GCPF funds will be used to pay 95% of signal design and installation costs, not to exceed $1,237,395. NS will pay remaining costs.

• Installation of automatic flashing lights, signals and gates at two NS crossings in Clinton County. The first is Red Fox Road/TR92 crossing near Bartelso and the second is at the Hanover State/County Highway 7 in Germantown. The cost for the new automatic warning devices at both crossings is $993,445. GCPF funds are recommended to cover 95% of the signal design and installation costs, not to exceed $413,087 for the crossing near Bartelso and not to exceed $530,687 for the Germantown crossing. NS will pay all remaining signal design and installation costs.

• Installation of automatic flashing lights, signals and gates at the 2nd and 3rd Street crossings of the Illinois & Midland’s Railroad (IMRR) track in Cantrall. The project’s total cost is $399,190, with GCPF funds being used to pay 95% of the signal design and installation costs, not to exceed $379,231. IMRR will pay all remaining signal design and installation costs.

• Installation of automatic flashing lights, signals and gates at the Garman Road crossing of the IMRR track near Pekin. The project’s cost is $285,456, with the GCPF contributing 95% of the signal design and installation costs, not to exceed $271,183. IMRR will pay all remaining signal design and installation costs.

• Installation of automatic flashing light signals and gates at the 2480E Road crossing of the Toledo, Peoria and Western (TPW) Railway’s track near Meadows. The project’s cost is $223,269, with GCPF funds being used to pay 95% of the signal design and installation costs, not to exceed $212,106. TPW will pay all remaining signal design and installation costs.

• Permanently close the 40th Street crossing of the BNSF Railway Co.'s track near Kirkwood. The GCPF will contribute $150,000 toward the project and also pay the Tompkins Township Road District an incentive payment of $42,500 to close the crossing. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), utilizing federal funds, will pay the district a $7,500 incentive payment.

• Permanently close the CR 750E crossing of CSX's track in Bridgeport. GCPF funds will be used to pay the city a $150,000 incentive for voluntary vacation and permanent closure of the crossing. CSX will pay the city a $7,500 cash incentive, as well as a $5,000 allowance for reimbursement of the city’s costs to install permanent traffic barriers. IDOT will pay the city a $7,500 incentive to match CSX’s $7,500 cash incentive.