Freight trains to move through Middletown at higher speeds

Freight trains coming through Middletown will be doing so at higher speeds beginning Election Day, officials with Norfolk Southern said Friday afternoon.

Train speeds between just east of Manchester Road and just south of South University Boulevard will increase from 25 mph to 40 mph, officials with the company said in a prepared statement.

The affected public crossings are Manchester Road, Wildwood Road, Manchester Avenue, Central Avenue, First Avenue and Woodlawn Avenue.

As many as 18 trains use that line, which connects Cincinnati to Dayton and Columbus, every day, according to railroad officials.

Company officials said warning devices at the crossings have been adjusted to property activate when the faster moving trains are approaching. This measure is expected to improve traffic flow by increasing train fluidity through the area.

Slower trains, however, can cause traffic delays as trains occupy crossings longer.

Motorists are reminded to obey railroad crossing signals and warnings and to use caution when approaching all highway-rail grade crossings.