Tiffin set to close two rail crossings as part of safety project

As part of the Railroad Safety Improvement Project for the City of Tiffin, railroad crossings at North Monroe and Holmes streets will be closed to vehicle traffic starting Oct. 1.According to a release provided upon completion of the project, Tiffin is to submit an application to the Federal Rail Administration for a Quiet Zone within the community. The zone is to reduce the amount of noise pollution created from the large volume of trains that pass through the city on a daily basis.Five of the seven crossings are to remain open within city limits — Nelson Street, Wall Street, Clinton Avenue, Market Street and Perry Street.According to the release, of the $4.2 million project, based on estimates from Ohio Rail Development Commission, the City of Tiffin is to provide about $425,000. Local funding includes about $775,000 from Tiffin University, Heidelberg University, the Tiffin Community Foundation, the Pruina Foundation and CSX.Improvements that have taken place and are planned include installation of quad gates for entrance and exit purposes (currently underway and being completed by CSX), installation of Detection Loops (currently underway and being completed by City of Tiffin Public Works Department) and installation of curbing around the each crossing gate (expected to be completed this fall by a private contractor) at the Nelson Street, Wall Street, Clinton Avenue, Market Street and Perry Street grade crossings, the release stated.Also, a roadway improvement project along East Market and East Perry streets that will reduce the risk of vehicles queuing on the railroad tracks due to the traffic signal located at the intersection of East Market Street with East Perry Street is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2021.The City of Tiffin has coordinated the reconfiguration of truck routes within the City of Tiffin with the Ohio Department of Transportation and signs previously had been installed to reflect the revised routes."These closures are being done with safety and the well being of our community in mind. By making our community a Quiet Zone, it provides a benefit to those living, working, studying in and visiting the City of Tiffin," Mayor Aaron Montz said in a release.The project has been a collaboration between The City of Tiffin, CSX, the Ohio Rail Development Commission, the Hopewell Township Trustees, Tiffin University, Heidelberg University, the Tiffin Community Foundation and the Pruina Foundation.