Program to replace yield signs with stop signs

0

By Wayne Allen

[email protected]

The Ohio Rail Development Commission and the Ohio Department Of Transportation (ODOT) have announced a partnership that would replace yield signs with stop signs at certain railroad crossings across the state.

The authorization for the change came in 2013, when the Ohio General Assembly included a provision in the state budget that would require stop signs at certain railroad crossings, replacing yield signs throughout the state.

Nearly 2,000 crossings were reviewed across the state as possible candidates for this program. Roughly 1,000 of those crossings will have signs replaced.

There were seven sites reviewed in Scioto County. Only one site was selected. Friedman Crossing, which is in the city of Portsmouth, was chosen for sign replacement.

The rest of the sites in Scioto County were considered exempt and current signs were left remaining.

“This change will reinforce driver behaviors of being safe and cautious around railroad tracks; to stop, look both ways, and proceed across with caution,” said Julianne Kaercher, spokeswoman for the Ohio Rail Development Commission in a released statement.

According to released information, crews have begun installing new signs. Once the stop signs have been installed, it means drivers are required to come to a full stop and can be ticketed if they choose not to obey.

For more information about the Ohio Rail Development Commission visit, www.rail.ohio.gov. For more information about ODOT visit www.dot.state.oh.us.

Wayne Allen can be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 1933 or on Twitter @WayneallenPDT

No posts to display