Title
W. Barlow Road Railroad Exemption
Brief Description: Staff would like to discuss with Council the desire to formally request an exemption for the W. Barlow Road railroad tracks.
Body
Legislative History
None.
Purpose & Explanation
Over the past several years, the School Bus Garage has asked whether the railroad crossing on Barlow Road could be designated as “Exempt.” An “Exempt” designation allows vehicles that are normally required to stop at railroad tracks, such as school buses and hazardous materials carriers, to proceed through the crossing without stopping.
City staff contacted the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to understand the options. The FRA outlined two possible approaches:
1. Making the crossing exempt. Under this option, the crossing remains physically in place and continues to be listed in state and federal databases as an active rail crossing. Although the rail line is dormant or rarely used, the infrastructure stays intact. Vehicles normally required to stop may legally proceed without stopping.
2. Closing or eliminating the crossing. This option requires permanent physical removal of the rails and all related markings or signals. It also requires a formal agreement between the City and the railroad. Once completed, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) would issue a Commission Order removing the crossing entirely from the state and federal inventories.
Since the crossing is owned and maintained by Metro RTA, the City contacted them regarding the possibility of eliminating the crossing. Metro RTA indicated that they are not currently in a position to remove or fund the removal of the crossing.
Given that, City staff recommends moving forward with formally requesting an “exemption” from PUCO. With Council’s concurrence, staff will submit a formal request to PUCO for the exemption. PUCO will then hold a local public hearing so that the public can provide feedback on the request.
The Administration is requesting...
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