Sat Nov 07 2009
COLUMBUS -- Two officials from Henry County traveled to Columbus recently to testify before the Ohio Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee in support of a railroad-related bill.
Legislation sponsored by state Sen. Steve Buehrer (R-Delta) seeks to ensure railroad companies in Ohio properly maintain crossings and other areas near tracks, in an effort to provide quality roads and rail for the movement of commerce in the state and protect the safety of Ohio motorists.
Under current state law, if a rail company neglects to fix a damaged railroad crossing, local governments can only fine the company $30 each day. This minor penalty tends to produce little response from the railroad.
Senate Bill 116, which Sen. Buehrer introduced in April with bipartisan support, would allow local government officials to file a complaint with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) if a rail company fails to repair a crossing and give PUCO the authority to issue an order and enforce a fine if a railroad is non-compliant with maintenance requests. The idea for the bill was brought to Sen. Buehrer by Patrick McColley, an engineer in the Henry County Engineer's Office.
McColley explained during testimony before the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee that he worked for several months to get a rail company to repair a damaged crossing on Jahns Road in Napoleon, one of Henry County's busiest roads
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