9/14/2026
Rail News: Safety
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has approved $1.1 million from the Grade Crossing Protection Fund (GCPF) to install new automatic warning devices and concrete crossing surfaces at the East Solon Road and Blivin Street crossings near Solon Mills and Spring Grove, Illinois.
The GCPF will cover 95% of the estimated signal design and construction costs, not to exceed $866,228. The Wisconsin & Southern Railroad (WSOR), a subsidiary of Watco, is responsible for the remaining 5%, plus all future costs to maintain the signals and circuitry, ICC officials said in a press release.
The decision also approved $261,043 from the GCPF for crossing surface materials; WSOR will pay all installation and maintenance costs for the new crossing surfaces.
All work is to be completed within 18 months of the ICC’s order.
The GCPF is funded by motor fuel tax money designated for rail safety improvements and is administered by the ICC. Illinois’ General Assembly appropriates $42 million annually for the GCPF.
