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Residents are familiar with the pain of being stuck in traffic while a train makes its way across an intersection. Sometimes the blocking of those intersections can be more than an inconvenience -- it can be a matter of life or death.
When emergency responders can't get through, the problem takes on a new level of importance. According to Gov. Mike DeWine's office, since the Federal Railroad Administration began collecting blocked crossing data in late 2019, more than 10,500 reports of blocked crossings in Ohio have been filed.
DeWine's Ohio Rail Crossing Elimination program seeks to tackle that problem, by offering $100 million in grants.
"Railroad grade projects can be complex and expensive, and without state assistance, most communities do not have the resources to develop them," DeWine said. "This program will provide support to get these projects moving in the right direction."
"Eliminating grade crossings has a ripple effect on safety for motorists, train operators, and first responders who are often delayed by blocked crossings.
"We'll work with local communities in Ohio to ensure we maximize federal investment in Ohio," said Scott Corbitt, chair of the Ohio Rail Development Commission.
Rail safety is still on the minds of many Ohioans for a different reason, as the feet-dragging continues in resolving the challenges that followed the Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine. Local and county officials must not drag their feet here.