As a matter of public safety, the Illinois Commerce Commission has granted approval of a Stipulated Agreement to permanently close the 40th Street highway-rail grade crossing of the BNSF Railway Company’s track near Kirkwood, Warren County.
Under the terms of the Stipulated Agreement and at the recommendation of the ICC Staff, an incentive payment, not to exceed $150,000, from the Grade Crossing Protection Fund (GCPF) will be made to the Tompkins Township Road District for voluntary closure of the roadway adjacent to the 40th Street highway-rail grade crossing located near Kirkwood, Warren County. BNSF is also paying the Road District an incentive payment of $42,500 to close the crossing. The Illinois Department of Transportation, utilizing federal funds, will also pay the Road District a $7,500 incentive payment. BNSF will pay 100% of the cost to remove the existing warning devices and crossing surface. The Road District will pay 100% of the costs to install temporary and permanent barricades at the crossing.
The project was brought to the attention of the ICC Railroad Safety section by project application.
All work is to be completed by within thirty (30) days of the Order date.
To read the Stipulated Agreement 2091 in Docket No. T21-0036 click here.
ABOUT THE GRADE CROSSING PROTECTION FUND (GCPF)
Project selection and management of GCPF highway-rail safety projects include safety improvements such as the closure and consolidation of existing public crossings, installation of new warning systems, highway approach improvements, upgrading of circuitry at grade crossings where warning signals are connected to adjacent traffic signals, construction/reconstruction of grade separation structures and the construction of pedestrian grade separations. The Commission administers the GCPF, which is funded by motor fuel tax money designated for rail safety improvements. The General Assembly appropriates $42 million annually for GCPF projects.
***Report Courtesy of the Illinois Commerce Commission***
