Illinois, Ohio panels OK funds for grade crossing safety projects

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) and Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) this week collectively approved five grade crossing safety projects.

The Illinois projects are:

• CSX will install automatic warning devices and full-depth rubber crossing surface at the Exchange Avenue crossing near East St. Louis in St. Clair County. The warning device installation will cost $527,509, with the ICC funding 95%; new surface installation will cost $135,270, which the state will fund. CSX will pay remaining and future costs;
• BNSF Railway Co. will install automatic warning devices at the Warners Castle Road crossing near Orion in Henry County. The total cost is $416,715, with the ICC funding 95%. BNSF will pay remaining and future costs;
• The Illinois Central Railroad Co. will install automatic warning devices and highway approach grade improvements at the County Road 500 North and County Road 100 North crossings in Champaign County. ICC will cover 95% of the $911,963 warning device installation and all of the $251,475 approach grade improvement project. The railroad will pay remaining and future costs; and
• BNSF will install new automatic warning devices and temporary stop signs at the Doe Run Road, Ayers Road and Ski Club Road crossings near Sorento in Bond County. ICC will fund 95% of the $922,441 cost and BNSF will pay for the rest.

The work for all the projects must be completed within 18 months, ICC officials said in a press release.

Meanwhile, CSX will install flashing lights and gates at the Stout Road crossing in Oxford Township in Butler County, Ohio. Work must be completed by May 17, 2024. Federal funds totaling $303,821 will help pay for the project, PUCO officials said in a press release.