Illinois commission approves grade-crossing upgrades in 3 counties

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) recently approved the installation of several safety upgrades to grade crossings in Shelby, Pulaski and Marion counties.  

Three crossings in Shelby County over Union Pacific Railroad track will receive new automatic warning gates and other approach improvements, at a cost of $1,061,673, ICC officials said in a press release. 

ICC staff recommended that the Grade Crossing Protection Fund cover 95% of the costs with UP picking up the remaining 5% of costs associated with installation and future maintenance. Improvements to the road approaches will cost $585,500, which will be covered by the GCPF.  

Two public safety improvements — automatic flashing lights and gates — will be installed at crossings in Marion County for a cost of 683,880, of which 95% will be covered by the fund. UP will pick up remaining expenses and future maintenance. Highway approach improvements valued at $492,000 were approved for one of the two crossings, with the fund covering the entirety of that expense.

A $497,671 project was approved to install warning gates and approach improvements to a crossing in Pulaski County on Illinois Central Railroad track. Again, the fund will cover 95% of the project with the railroad responsible for the remainder and future maintenance.  

The GCPR will fund the $121,580 cost to rehabilitate an existing western approach to the track. 

Construction on all projects must be completed within 18 months.