Parties working together on rail crossing, intersection

FREMONT - The city, state and Norfolk Southern Railway are working together on a construction project that includes improvements to a well-traveled railroad crossing and the intersection of State and Front Streets.

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved in May the installation of mast-mounted flashing lights and road gates at the Norfolk Southern Railway crossing at State Street and Front Street.

Safety Service Director Ken Myers said Norfolk Southern employees were working on the lights and gates Tuesday near the crossing and the State Street Bridge.

He said the lights and gate would be integrated with traffic signals at the State Street and Front Street intersection. A train moving toward the tracks would activate the crossing signals, which would in turn synchronize with the traffic lights.

"They're trying to reduce the possibility that anybody gets stuck on the tracks," Myers said.

PUCO approved giving construction authorization to the Ohio Rail Development Commission to direct the work.

The grade crossing improvement project is to be completed by May 18, 2017, according to PUCO. Federal funding for the project is provided through the ORDC.

Myers said the city would not be responsible for any of the project's funding. He said the city would assist by bidding out the contract for the traffic signal work next year.

dacarson@gannett.com

419-334-1046

Twitter: @DanielCarson7