Press Release

PUC Initiates Safety Investigation of Railroad Crossing in Franklin County

Published on 2/25/2016

Filed under: Transportation and Safety

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today ordered an investigation into all matters related to a railroad crossing in Franklin County.

The Commission voted 5-0 to conduct the investigation.

The crossing to be investigated is located in Guilford Township, Franklin Country, where Lighthouse Road (T 425) crosses a single track of the Norfolk Southern Railroad Company at-grade.  The crossing is currently equipped with railroad crossing "crossbuck" signs and stop signs.

The investigation, to be conducted by the PUC’s Rail Safety Engineering Section, will evaluate whether the existing conditions at the crossing are adequate to effectuate the prevention of accidents and the promotion of safety of the public.  It also will address the future disposition of the crossing, what work should be performed at the crossing and the allocation of the costs of any work ordered by the Commission.

Per the Order approved today by the Commission, the PUC’s safety investigation will include numerous agencies, utilities and organizations with a potential interest in the crossing.

Under Pennsylvania statute, the PUC has exclusive jurisdiction over the alteration, construction, relocation, suspension and abolition of public highway-railroad crossings. The Commission’s Rail Safety Engineers oversee highway-railroad crossings throughout Pennsylvania – including approximately 5,600 at-grade crossings, where public roads cross railroad tracks; along with 3,200 bridge crossings, involving bridges carrying public roads over railroads; bridges carrying railroads over public roads; and bridges carrying railroads over other railroads.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases and video of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.pa.gov. Follow the PUC on Twitter – @PA_PUC for all things utility.  “Like” Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on Facebook for easy access to information on utility issues.

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Docket No.: I-2016-2527248

Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov