PUCO approves upgrade of rail crossing in Logan County

COLUMBUS, OHIO (Aug. 31, 2011) – The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) today approved an agreement between PUCO Staff, the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC), CSX Transportation, Inc. and Logan County to install flashing lights and gates at the County Road 117 (513-787T) grade crossing.

CSX must submit site plans and cost estimates for the project to the PUCO by Nov. 29, 2011. Funding for this upgrade will be shared among the PUCO, ORDC and CSX. The railroad will be responsible for completing construction of the upgrade by August 31, 2012.

To increase public safety during the construction of the project, 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 the improvement 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 2010, the PUCO played a part in the installation of lights and gates at 72 grade crossings throughout the state. Over the past two decades, the annual number of train-motor vehicle crashes in Ohio has decreased significantly, from 326 in 1990 to 64 in 2010.

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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The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) is the sole agency charged with regulating public utility service. The role of the PUCO is to assure all residential, business, and industrial consumers have access to adequate, safe, and reliable utility services at fair prices while facilitating an environment that provides competitive choices. Consumers with utility-related questions or concerns can call the PUCO Call Center at (800) 686-PUCO (7826) and speak with a representative.

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