MAYOR JAMES GRAVEN’S RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF H.B. 361

In Olmsted Falls, there is on the average 85 train crossings each day, and specifically on October 20, 2021 a train blocked the crossings at Mapleway, Brookside, Columbia, and Lewis for nearly five (5) hours, which caused undue hardship for residents and visitors traveling through our city.  The Mayor is in support of H.B. 361 and urges the adoption by the General Assembly of H.B. 361.

H.B. 361 proposes a $5,000.00 fine a first violation, and a $10,000.00 fine for subsequent violations. The bill would also require a railroad company to submit to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) an incident report each time a train blocks a crossing for more than five (5) minutes.  The proposed fines would be significantly more than what railroad companies pay now when ticketed into court for obstructing or blocking a railroad crossing.  This problem has been getting worse in Olmsted Falls, and Mayor Graven takes this seriously, and he respectfully requests our state law makers pass this bill.  The mayor’s resolution will be presented to Olmsted Falls City Council on Tuesday, October 26, 2021.  The Mayor urges everyone on City Council to support his resolution.