PUCO approves upgrade of warning devices for Hancock County railroad crossing

COLUMBUS, OHIO (Aug. 12, 2009) – The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) today approved an agreement between Norfolk Southern Railway Company, Washington Township, the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) and PUCO staff that will close the Township Road 256 grade crossing in Washington Township, Hancock County and install flashing lights and roadway gates at the Township Road 261 (472-441A) grade crossing in Washington Township.

Norfolk Southern must submit site plans and cost estimates for the project to the PUCO by Nov. 12, 2009. Funding for this upgrade will be provided through federal funds. Norfolk Southern will be responsible for completing construction of the upgrade by Aug. 12, 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 project location. 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/.

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