Crossing projects advance in Ohio; grade separations progress in California

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has approved construction authorization from the Ohio Rail Development Commission directing Norfolk Southern Railway and CSX Transportation to improve two grade crossings.

CSXT will install mast-mounted flashing lights and roadway gates at the Garling Road/Township Road 292 crossing in Wood County, and NS will install mast-mounted flashing lights and roadway gates at the Havana-Hensinger Road/Township Road 124 crossing in Seneca County.

The railroads must complete the work by Oct. 8, 2014. Federal sources will provide the funding.

Meanwhile, Hill International Inc. has obtained contracts for two grade separations in California. The firm won a contract from the city of Fullerton to manage the State College grade separation and a contract from the Riverside County Transportation Department to manage the Clay Street grade separation.

The Fullerton project calls for grade separating State College Blvd. and a BNSF Railway Co. tracks, while the Riverside project involves the construction of an underpass to grade separate Clay Street and a Union Pacific Railroad line that's also used by Metrolink.