More railroad crossing work approved

Van Wert independent news

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has approved an agreement between the Ohio Rail Development Commission, Chicago, Fort Wayne, and Eastern Railroad, and the City of Van Wert for further railroad crossing work in the city.

Last year, grade improvements were made to nine railroad crossings in the city: Wayne, Franklin, Race, Tyler, Cherry, Walnut, Market, Washington, and Jefferson streets, while five other crossings — Vine, Chestnut, Harrison, and Pleasant streets, and Anderson Avenue — were closed to traffic.

Next on the list are lights and gate upgrades on four streets: Wayne, Franklin, Race, and Market, while the city is pre-empting a traffic signal at the intersection of Main and Washington streets to improve traffic flow at that intersection when a train is traveling through the city.

Van Wert Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming said the city would be completing the traffic signal work this summer, adding that he hopes the crossing signal/gate improvements are also completed this summer.

The railroad has until June 2017 to complete the project.