PUCO Awards $1,091,134 For Ohio Grade Crossing Safety

PUCO authorized $1,091,134 in federal funding on January 22 for Ohio grade crossing safety upgrades affecting three short-line railways.

PUCO Awards $1,091,134 For Ohio Grade Crossing Safety
January 27, 2026 11:38 pm | Last Update: March 6, 2026 2:37 pm
A+
A-

On January 22, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) authorized a total of $1,091,134 in federal funding for grade crossing safety enhancements. The capital is designated for projects to be executed by three short-line operators: Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway, Akron Barberton Cluster Railway, and Ashland Railway.

The Akron Barberton Cluster Railway will receive $451,081 for the installation of flashing lights and gates at the North Chestnut Street crossing in Ravenna. This project has a mandated completion date of October 21, 2026.

A separate allocation of $310,265 is directed to Ashland Railway for an upgrade at the East 9th Street crossing in Ashland County. The scope of work also includes the installation of new lights and gates, with a completion deadline of October 21, 2026.

The Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway is allocated $329,788 for a project at the State Route 151 and Boyce Drive crossing in Harrison County. The deadline for completion of this installation is January 21, 2027.

The federal funds, administered by PUCO, cover the full cost for the installation of active warning systems at all three Ohio locations. The projects are intended to replace existing passive warning infrastructure at the specified crossings.