Ohio commission OKs plan to improve NS grade crossing

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) on Wednesday approved the Ohio Rail Development Commission's construction authorization directing Norfolk Southern Railway to install active warning devices at a grade crossing in Allen Township.

The crossing improvement is scheduled to be completed by Aug. 30, 2018. The project will be paid for with federal funds, PUCO officials said in a press release.

Meanwhile, the PUCO approved CSX's request for more time to complete a grade crossing upgrade in Ashley in order to accommodate road construction. The crossing improvement now will be completed by March 31, 2018.

The PUCO provides funds for local governments to pay for safety crossing improvements, such as rumble strips and improved signage. Money for those improvements comes from the State Grade Crossing Safety Fund, which covers up to $5,000 per project.

The agency is responsible for evaluating Ohio's public grade crossings to determine the need for installing active warning devices.