Oklahoma’s US$100 million rail crossings upgrade

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) is to fast-track hundreds of projects to improve more than 300 rail crossings state-wide and upgrade safety warning features on rail crossings across the state. Many of these crossings have only rail crossing signs or faint pavement markings and no flashing lights or cross arms to serve as additional warning for motorists of oncoming trains. According to ODOT, of the more than 3,700 at-grade rail crossings in the state, many have some level of recognised d
August 28, 2014 Read time: 2 mins

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (784 ODOT) is to fast-track hundreds of projects to improve more than 300 rail crossings state-wide and upgrade safety warning features on rail crossings across the state. Many of these crossings have only rail crossing signs or faint pavement markings and no flashing lights or cross arms to serve as additional warning for motorists of oncoming trains.

According to ODOT, of the more than 3,700 at-grade rail crossings in the state, many have some level of recognised deficiencies when it comes to rail crossing safety. Most of the crossings are on local roads but the department remains involved because of overall rail safety.

ODOT anticipates the rail crossings can be modernised and greatly improved by adding rail safety infrastructure such as high-visibility signage, cross bucks, gates, hazard lighting and pavement markings.

The improvements are being funded by combining proceeds from the recent sale of the Sooner Sub rail line in addition to dedicated rail safety funds from ODOT and other partners.

"The department has long recognised the great need for improving rail crossings on the state, county and local transportation system. Now with the influx of funding available from the sale of the Sooner Sub rail line, we are excited to use this money to expedite the process of improving safety along rail systems across the state," ODOT executive director Mike Patterson said.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Study shows road markings deliver cost-effective road safety
    June 20, 2012
    Road markings are among the most cost-effective solutions to make roads safer. A recent study carried out for the American Glass Bead Manufacturer’s Association quantifies by just how much Despite only making up 23% of the US mileage, fatalities on America’s rural two-lane highways made up 57% of all traffic fatalities in 2009 — resulting in more than $77Bn in losses for that year alone. Moreover, a rural motorist is 2.7 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash per mile travelled than their urban
    Read More
  • TEN-T funds modernise French rail line
    December 10, 2012
    A section of French rail network from Mulhouse to Chalampé on the German border has been inaugurated to passenger traffic as part of a European Union supported project. The TEN-T funded project involves a 17.5 km section of French single-track rail infrastructure; the modernised section, supported by US$903,000 of EU funds, will allow faster connections to and from Mülheim in Germany. The project contributes to the TEN-T Priority Project 24 Lyon/Genova-Basel-Duisburg-Rotterdam/Antwerp railway axis, an esse
    Read More
  • Europe’s EasyWay project accommodates political requirements
    May 29, 2013
    The EasyWay project has evolved to take account of political developments at the European level. By Jason Barnes The European Union’s (EU’s) EasyWay ITS deployment project has its roots in the ambitions of former European Commission President Jacques Delors with regard to truly international networks for energy, information and for transport. Definition of what became known as the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) began back in 1994 with seven working groups. They produced an R&D and policy framework
    Read More
  • The growth of ITS service solutions providers
    July 26, 2012
    Econolite's new subsidiary Aegis ITS has been set up to address the increasingly complex and exacting needs of agencies in the ITS sector. Chief Operating Officer Doug Terry talks about the evolution to service solution provider. A few very notable and honourable exceptions notwithstanding, it is these days becoming increasingly rare to find a public agency which develops its own traffic management systems. Indeed, most now rely on specialist manufacturers and suppliers to fulfil their needs. This has the h
    Read More

Highlighted Content