(The following article by Hali Cartee was published in the January 20 issue of the Richmond (Ind.) Palladium-Item.)
JACKSON TOWNSHIP, Ohio — Norfolk Southern Corp. must upgrade five additional railroad crossings in Preble County by next January.
The crossings, all located in Jackson Township, join two others there that must be upgraded after two car-train wrecks left six motorists dead this past summer.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and Ohio Rail Development Commission are ordering the rail company to install flashing lights and roadway gates at each crossing. PUCO evaluates public grade crossings to determine the need for installing active warnings.
Federal money from the State Grade Crossing Protection Fund will finance the upgrades.
The Oxford Gettysburg Road and Westville Road crossing, were the two fatal accidents occurred, were the first to be scheduled for improvements.
The additional five crossings to be improved by Jan. 9, 2004, are on:
— Paint Road.
— West Florence and Campbellstown Road.
— Daily Road.
— Conley Road.
— Toby Road.
Norfolk Southern has until Feb. 7 to submit site plans and cost estimates.
The Rail Commission also will help with the cost of improvements up to $3,000 for each crossing. Improvements such as rumble strips, illumination and improved signage could be part of the project.
PUCO spokesperson Matt Butler said the fatalities last summer at the Oxford Gettysburg Road and Westville Road had no bearing on the decision to upgrade the five other crossings.
“These crossings just got to the point where they were eligible for the upgrades,” Butler said.
Upgrades consider a number of factors, including accident history, visibility, daily train and auto traffic and automobile speed approaching the crossing.
“A whole score of criteria goes into it,” Butler said.
Six killed in 2002
Upgrades to Oxford Gettysburg Road and Westville Road crossings are the result of two collisions that left six people dead last year.
Jackson Township Clerk Floyd Geeding said the township had tried for years to get the crossings updated. The township was told in the past that the traffic count was not high enough for the upgrades, Geeding said.
“We’re sorry it took six people’s lives to get this accomplished,” Geeding said.
When the seven upgrades are completed, all crossings within the township will have roadway gates and flashing lights.
The first fatal accident was June 12 at the Westville crossing when a train struck a car with three teenagers returning from Richmond, Ind. Cody Elvis Rose, 18, of Gratis, Ricky Dale Venters, 18, of Camden and Belinda Sue “Benji” Jacques, 17, of Camden were killed.
The second fatal accident involved three family members: Anthony F. Estes, 82, of Eaton, Leonard A. Slusser, 56, of Houston, Texas, and Christopher A. Barnett, 35, of Loveland. They were killed July 30 when their car was struck by a train at the Oxford Gettysburg crossing.
Fading awareness
Geeding said motorists showed greater awareness at the crossings after the accidents, but many are now just slowing down and not stopping.
“Stop, look and listen,” Geeding said.
Norfolk Southern submitted plans and cost estimates for the Westville Road crossing on Oct. 24. PUCO gave permission to proceed with the project Oct. 30.
Plans and cost estimates for the Oxford Gettysburg Road crossing were submitted Dec. 13. Construction was approved Wednesday.
Both projects must be completed by Sept. 5.
Butler said construction probably would not begin until the spring.