PUCO approves upgrade of warning devices for railroad crossings in Union, Auglaize and Butler counties

COLUMBUS, OHIO (Sept. 30, 2009) – The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) today approved construction authorization from the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) directing CSX Transportation to install flashing lights and roadway gates at grade crossings in Union, Auglaize and Butler counties.

CSX will install the upgrades at the following highway-rail grade crossings:

• County Road 34/Adams Road (513-297B) in Union County;
• Township Road 132/Short Road (155-272S) in Auglaize County; and
• S. First Street (152-421F) in Butler County.

CSX must submit site plans and cost estimates for the project to the PUCO by Dec. 29, 2009. Funding for this upgrade will be provided through federal funds. CSX will be responsible for completing construction of the upgrades by Sept. 30, 2010.

To increase public safety during the construction of these upgrades, 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 locations. 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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