16 rail crossings in area to receive warning devices

8/3/2001

Eight Williams County railroad crossings, seven in Ottawa County, and one in Erie County have been earmarked for new warning devices by the Ohio Rail Development Commission.

They are among 18 along a Norfolk Southern rail line between Cleveland, Toledo, and northern Indiana that will be upgraded.

James Seney, the rail commission's executive director, said they are the last crossings on the line that lack lights and gates and previously had not been designated to receive them.

The rail line is one of Ohio's busiest, with scores of freight trains and six Amtrak passenger trains each day. The warning devices for the 18 crossings are expected to cost about $2.7 million and be installed within a year.

The crossings are:

  • Erie County: Berlin Township Road 135 (Hahn Road).

  • Ottawa County: State Rt. 358; County Roads 14 (Tettau Road) and 208 (Elliston-Trowbridge Road); Salem Township roads 105 (Brokate Road) and 100 (Vogel Road), and Allen Township roads 7 (Martin-Williston Road) and 53 (Reiman Road).

  • Williams County: County roads 2.50, 9, 10, 17, 18, 19, 19.50, and 22.