Ohio commission approves safety upgrades at 3 rail crossings

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) on Sept. 3 approved over $1 million for safety upgrades at grade crossings in three Ohio counties.

The upgrades call for installation of flashing lights and gates at the following locations:

• Pittsburgh Drive crossing in Delaware, Delaware County, to be installed by Sam Dong Ohio Inc.; 
• Waterloo Road crossing in Akron, Summit County, to be installed by Akron Barberton Cluster Railway; 
• County Road 87/Waterloo Road crossing in Portage County, to be installed by Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway.

All work is to be completed by June 3, 2027.

Federal funds will cover $350,021 for the Pittsburgh Drive crossing; $339,340 for the Waterloo Road crossing; and $335,303 for the CR87/Waterloo Road crossing.

Local governments can seek funding from PUCO for additional safety improvements to the crossings, including rumble strips, illumination and improved signage at the project locations. Such funding comes from the State Grade Crossing Safety Fund and may not exceed $5,000 per project, PUCO officials said in a press release.