PUCO approves grade crossing improvement project in Columbiana County

COLUMBUS, OHIO (June 24, 2009) – The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) today approved an improvement project at the Lincoln Highway/US 30 (503-455W) highway-rail grade crossing near Minerva in Columbiana County. The Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) received funding for the project through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

Ohi-Rail Corporation will upgrade the circuitry, install new mast mounted flashing lights and a high type grade crossing surface at the crossing.  

Ohi-Rail must submit site plans and cost estimates for the project to the PUCO by Sept. 22, 2009. ARRA reimbursable costs for the project may not exceed $250,000. Any costs exceeding ARRA funding will be reimbursed from ORDC’s safety funding. Ohi-Rail will be responsible for completing construction of the upgrade by June 24, 2010.

To increase public safety during the construction of this upgrade, the PUCO will assist the local government with the cost of improvements such as rumble strips, illumination, improved signage or other safety enhancements at the location of the projects. Funding for these improvements will come from the State Grade Crossing Safety Fund, and will not exceed $5,000.

The PUCO is responsible for evaluating Ohio’s public grade crossings to determine the need for installing active warning devices. In 2008, the PUCO played a part in the installation of lights and gates at 38 grade crossings throughout the state. Over the past two decades, the annual number of train-motor vehicle crashes in Ohio has decreased significantly, from 412 in 1988 to 82 in 2008.

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 Web site at http://gradecrossings.puco.ohio.gov.

-30-

09-491-RR-FED