ICC approves funding for multiple grade crossing projects

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) recently granted approval for grade-crossing improvement projects in several counties that qualify for funding from the state’s Grade Crossing Projection Fund (GCPF).

The projects and recommended funding involve:

• new automatic flashing light signals, gates and reconstruction of existing highway approach grades at the Tanglefoot Road crossing in DuQuoin and Perry counties. The total estimated cost for the new automatic warning device is $391,236. The GCPF will pay 95% of the signal design and installation costs. The Illinois Central Railroad Co. will pay remaining costs.

• new automatic flashing light signals and gates at the Perrine Avenue crossing of Norfolk Southern Railway’s track in Centralia, in Marion County. GCPF dollars will cover 95% of the project’s $432,915 cost; NS will pay the rest.

• new automatic flashing light signals, gates and reconstruction of the existing highway approach grades at both the 1030th Street crossing near Martinsville and the Adenmoor Road crossing near Marshall in Clark County. GCPF will cover 100% ($61,000) of the costs to reconstruct the existing highway approach grades at the 1030th Street crossing. The Auburn Township Road District will all costs to maintain the reconstructed roadway approaches.

• new automatic flashing light signals, gates and reconstruction of the existing highway approach grades at the Bluff City Road crossing in Fayette County. GCPF dollars will cover 95% of the signal design and installation costs of the $550,091 project, with CSX paying remaining costs. In addition, GCPF will be used to pay 100% ($134,212) of the costs to reconstruct the existing highway approach grades at the Bluff City Road crossing. Vandalia Township Road District will pay 100% of the costs to maintain the reconstructed roadway approaches.

• new automatic flashing light signals, gates and reconstruction of the existing highway approach grades at the Elam Road crossing near Hagerstown in Fayette County. The GCPF will pay 95% of the signal design and installation costs, not to exceed $608,756. CSX  will pay all remaining signal design and installation costs,and all future operating and maintenance costs. In addition, GCPF dollars be used to pay 100% ($61,000) of the costs toreconstruct the existing highway approach grades at the Elam Road crossing. The Bear Grove Township Road District will all costs to maintain the reconstructed roadway approaches.

• new automatic flashing light signals and gates at the NS crossing near Dwight in Livingston County. The total cost for the new automatic warning devices at both crossings is $743,721. GCPF will cover 95% of signal design and installation costs, not to exceed $706, 536. NS will fund remaining costs.

• new automatic flashing light signals and gates and reconstruction of the existing highway approach grades at crossings that include the Friendship Road crossing, 600th Street crossing near Martinsville and Union Street crossing in Martinsville. Total cost for the new automatic warning devices at all three crossings is $1,089,574. GCPF will cover pay 95% of the signal design and installation costs, not to exceed $980,617. CSX  will pay remaining signal design and installation costs, and future operating and maintenance costs. GCPF be used to pay 100% ($47,000) of the costs to reconstruct the existing highway approach grades at the Friendship Road crossing. The Casey Township Road District will pay all costs to maintain the reconstructed roadway approaches. For the 600th street crossing, GCPF funds will cover all costs of reconstruction, and the Martinsville Township Road District will pay all costs to maintain the reconstructed roadway approaches. Similarly, GCPF be used to pay all ($93,000) costs to reconstruct the existing highway approach grades at the Union Street crossing. The city of Martinsville will all costs to reconstructed roadway approaches.

• new automatic flashing light signals, gates, and approach grade rehabilitation at the Union Street grade crossing in Nebo, Pike County. The total cost for the new automatic warning devices at the crossings is $312,500. GCPF pay 95% of the signal design and installation costs, not to exceed $296,875. Kansas City Southern will pay all remaining signal design and installation costs, and all future operating and maintenance costs related to the new automatic warning devices at the crossing. An engineering consultant hired by the Village of Nebo has estimated the design and construction costs at $453,963 to relocate utilities, rehabilitate the roadway approach grades, and raise the adjacent intersections of South Street and North Street. Staff considers the rehabilitation of the approach grades and the associated intersection and utility work important enough to recommend that the GCPF be used to pay 100% of those costs, not to exceed $453,963.