Ohio panel OKs rail crossing improvements in Columbiana, Tuscarawas counties

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) last week approved construction authorization from the Ohio Rail Development Commission directing Norfolk Southern Railway and Ohio Central Railroad to upgrade rail crossings in Columbiana and Tuscarawas counties.

NS will install lights and gates at the Bayard Road and the Essick Road/ Township Road 704 crossings in West Township, Columbiana County. The railroad must complete the work by Oct. 10, 2019, according to a PUCO press release.

Ohio Central Railroad's project calls for upgrading circuitry at existing warning devices at the Dover Road/State Route 39 crossing so that they interconnect with nearby traffic signals. The railroad is directed to complete the work by July 10, 2019.

Federal funding will be provided for the upgrades, PUCO officials said.

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