ILLINOIS — Local lawmakers have announced a 5-Year railroad safety plan that targets $9.4 million for road repairs, flashing lights & gates in House District 107.

State Representative Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City), announced Tuesday that the Illinois Commerce Commission has identified twenty-six projects around the 107th District to receive funding for the “Crossing Safety Improvement Program.” These projects over the next five years (2019-2024) will reconstruct roadway approaches, install automatic flashing light signals and install roadway gates.

“These safety projects are aimed at reducing collisions and will help save lives,” commented Wilhour.

Area communities receiving grants include Alma, Centralia, Farina, Kell, Kinmundy, Odin, Salem, Vandalia, and Wamac.

Currently, there are 7,595 highway-rail grade crossings in Illinois, of which 763 are on state roads, and 6,832 are on local roads.  Nationally, Illinois is second only to Texas in the total number of highway-rail crossings.

Since Fiscal Year 2010, each month state motor fuel tax receipts is transferred from the Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) fund to the Grade Crossing Protection Fund.

This amount provides the GCPF with $39 million annually for safety improvements.

In 2018, preliminary statistics indicate there were 82 collisions at public crossings in Illinois, compared to 88 in 2017, a decrease of 6.8 percent. Total fatalities resulting from collisions at highway-rail crossings in Illinois decreased from 25 in 2017 to 19 in 2018.

You can find the complete list of the District 107 projects linked in this story on our website at x95 radio dot com.