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County to apply for federal Railroad Crossing Elimination grant to study at‑grade crossing safety
Summary
Henry County staff requested permission to apply for a Railroad Crossing Elimination (Crossing Safety) grant to fund a safety study; staff requested $200,000 with a $50,000 local match from impact fees and said Stockbridge and McDonough provided letters of support. The board approved applying for the grant.
Sam Baker, presenting the county's transportation plan follow-up, told commissioners that Henry County has 55 railroad crossings and 44 at-grade crossings, and that a regional lack of active warning devices increases collision risk.
"This grant is called Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant, also known as Crossing Safety Program. The application deadline is June 8. Staff would like to request $200,000 of federal grant and provide $50,000 of local match to conduct a railroad crossing safety study," Sam Baker said, explaining the local match could come from collected impact fees and that Stockbridge and McDonough have provided letters of support.
Board members pressed for clarity on city participation and on railroad responsibilities; Baker said Norfolk Southern has been contacted and is providing a letter of support and would be involved in future implementation discussions. Commissioners emphasized safety as the motivating factor and directed staff to pursue city confirmations in writing. The board voted to approve staff applying for the grant; any award and final project acceptance will return to the board for action.
