Ohio panel approves crossing upgrades in two counties

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has approved safety upgrades at grade crossings in Brown and Stark counties.

Cincinnati Eastern Railroad will install flashing lights and gates at the Corboy Road/T.R. 530 crossing in Washington Township in Brown County. Federal funds will cover $327,540 of the project's cost. The work must be completed by Oct. 4, 2024.

Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Co. will install flashing lights and gates at a crossing in Canton in Stark County by Jan. 4, 2025. PUCO originally approved the safety upgrades at the crossing in April 2022, but after reviewing initial designs, it determined it was necessary to reconfigure the roadway to simplify the crossing layout, commission officials said in a press release.

The total cost of the project is $656,585. PUCO will cover 35% of the total cost with dollars from the State Grade Crossing Safety Fund. The remainder will be provided by the Ohio Rail Development Commission (47%), railroad (10%) and city of Canton (8%).