Huron and Tuscarawas rail crossings approved for upgrading

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has approved construction authorisation from the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC). This directs Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway and Columbus & Ohio River Railroad to begin the installation of active warning devices at various locations in Huron and Tuscarawas counties.

Lights and gates will be installed at the level crossing at Corwin Street in Norwalk, Huron County by Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway and at the West Street level crossing in Newcomerstown, Tuscarawas County by Columbus & Ohio River Railroad.

These upgrades are to be completed by 21 November 2018 with federal funding for these projects provided through the ORDC.

Additional funding may be sought by local governments from the PUCO to increase public safety during the construction of the projects and cover the cost of safety improvements such as rumble strips, illumination, improved signage or other enhancements at the project locations.

Funding for such improvements comes from the State Grade Crossing Safety Fund and may not exceed $5,000 per project.

The PUCO is responsible for evaluating Ohio’s public level crossings; determining the need for installing active warning devices. Since the PUCO began implementing these evaluations, the annual number of train-motor vehicle crashes in Ohio has decreased significantly, from 123 in 2001 to 64 in 2016.