Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has approved a series of projects aimed at enhancing highway-rail safety in the Peoria Metro Area. Under Stipulated Agreements 2291 and 2292, new automatic flashing light signals and gate installations will be implemented at ten Iowa Interstate Railroad crossings located in Marshall and Peoria Counties.

The targeted crossings include County Line Road near Bureau; Lincoln Street in Henry; Main Street, Edmund Street, Williams Street, and Western Avenue in Marshall County; East Fairview Street and East Resthaven Road near Mossville; Detweiler Golf Road in the City of Peoria; and Marine Drive in Peoria County.

"Updating Illinois' existing infrastructure around railroad tracks makes it easier and safer for anyone in the Peoria Metro Area to get to where they need to be. The projects like the ones in Marshall and Peoria Counties are an important investment toward keeping our railways safe for all who use them," stated ICC Commissioner Michael T. Carrigan.

The estimated costs for these improvements are $1,950,721 for the six crossings in Marshall County and $1,273,200 for the four crossings in Peoria County. The ICC staff recommends that the Grade Crossing Protection Fund (GCPF) cover 95 percent of these expenses, with a cap of $1,853,184 for Marshall County and $1,209,540 for Peoria County. The remaining costs will be covered by Iowa Interstate Railroad, which will also handle future maintenance of the signals and circuitry.

All work is scheduled to be completed within 18 months from the order date. Details on these orders can be found under Dockets No. T23-0088 and No. T23-0089.

Established by legislation passed in 1955, the GCPF supports public highway-rail safety through various projects such as warning system installations and grade separation constructions. It is funded by motor fuel tax money dedicated to rail safety improvements with an annual appropriation of $42 million by the General Assembly.

The ICC functions as a quasi-judicial body consisting of five commissioners overseeing utility services across several sectors including electricity, natural gas, telecommunications, water, sewer services as well as transportation regulatory programs related to public safety.