Oklahoma DOT to evaluate grade crossings ahead of commuter-rail project

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), in partnership with the Regional Transportation Authority of Central Oklahoma (RTA), will evaluate 52 grade crossings from Edmond to Norman ahead of the RTA’s proposed commuter-rail project.

Funding for the evaluations comes from a $400,000 Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) program grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, RTA officials said in a press release.

The project will analyze strategies to reduce crossing incidents along a busy rail corridor while enhancing transportation mobility and improving accessibility to community services, local businesses, health care and schools, they said. 

“Reducing rail congestion will help us create better pedestrian and automobile traffic flow for our residents," said RTA Executive Director Jason Ferbrache.

ODOT will contribute a 20% match to the grant. The study outcome will help RTA officials prioritize crossings that need improvements and serve as a for the future grant submissions as the commuter-rail project progresses, officials said.