Press Release

PUC to Investigate Washington County Railroad Crossing

Published on 7/12/2018

Filed under: Transportation and Safety

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today initiated an investigation concerning a railroad crossing in the Borough of Centerville, Washington County, which has been the site of several accidents – including a collision earlier this year involving a freight train and a truck carrying hydrochloric acid, which resulted in several injuries and the evacuation of nearby residents.

The Commissioners voted 5-0 to launch the investigation to review all matters related to the jurisdiction, condition and safety of the crossing, where Maple Glenn Road crosses a single track of the Norfolk Southern Railway Company, adjacent to State Route 88 (Low Hill Road).  The crossing is currently marked by “crossbuck” railroad crossing signs on both sides of Maple Glenn Road.

An informal field conference was held by the PUC’s Rail Safety Section at the crossing site on April 12, 2018, involving numerous concerned parties, including the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Norfolk Southern Railway, Centerville Borough, State Representative Pam Snyder, State Senator Camera Bartolotta and area residents.     

The Commission’s investigation will first evaluate whether the crossing is public or private. If public, the investigation will gather evidence and testimony on all matters related to this crossing, to determine the condition of the rail crossing, the nature of the repairs or maintenance needed, and assignment of future maintenance responsibility of 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.

Visit the PUC’s website at www.puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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Docket No.: I-2018-3002565

Contact:

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