In The News 6 April 2023

PUCO approves rail crossing upgrades in 15 counties

COLUMBUS – The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) today approved $1.17 million in safety upgrades at over 100 rail crossings in 15 counties.

Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway (WLE) will install LED lights at grade crossings in Belmont, Huron, Jefferson, Lorain, Medina, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties. The PUCO will pay $7,500 for each crossing, for a total of $517,500. WLE will pay for any costs exceeding $7,500 for each crossing.

Cincinnati East Terminal Railway (CCET) will install LED lights at grade crossings in Adams, Brown, Clermont and Hamilton counties. The PUCO will pay $7,500 for each crossing, for a total of $247,500. CCET will pay for any costs exceeding $7,500 for each crossing.

Akron Barberton Cluster Railway (ABC) will install new flashing lights and gates at the Diamond Street and Oakwood Street grade crossings in the City of Ravenna, Portage County. The PUCO will pay up to $352,000 to complete the projects. ABC will pay for any costs exceeding $352,000. The estimated cost for the projects is $453,733.

The PUCO awarded a total of $1.17 million from the State Grade Crossing Protection Fund. All upgrades will be completed by April 5, 2024.

To increase public safety during the construction of the projects, local governments may seek funding from the PUCO for the cost of safety improvements such as rumble strips, illumination, improved signage or other enhancements at 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 grade crossings to determine 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 356 in 1990 to 61 in 2022.

The Ohio Rail Hotline, at (866) 814-RAIL (7245), provides Ohioans with a toll-free resource for all railroad crossing questions. For more information regarding these crossings, access the Ohio railroad information system website at?gradecrossings.puco.ohio.gov.

A copy of today’s Commission orders with a list of the crossings receiving upgrades is available on the PUCO’s website at www.PUCO.ohio.gov.

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