PennDOT: These vehicles are now exempt from stopping at a Philipsburg rail crossing

CLEARFIELD COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A railroad crossing in Philipsburg has been authorized as exempt by the Public Utility Commission (PUC).

Being exempt will eliminate the requirement for certain vehicles to stop at the grade crossing along Route 322 between Irvin Drive and Route 53 intersection in Philipsburg unless a train is approaching or occupying the crossing or when the driver’s view is blocked.

This includes vehicles carrying passengers for hire, school buses carrying students or highway vehicles carrying hazardous materials.

Contractor R.J. Corman upgraded the warning devices and the crossing surface for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) during a safety improvement project completed in summer 2023. This work allowed the PUC to authorize the crossing as exempt.

On Feb. 28, PennDOT posted signage reflecting the change but reminded drivers to approach all railroad crossings carefully and to “always expect a train.”

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PennDOT encourages motorists to “Know Before They Go” by checking conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com , downloading the 511 Android or iPhone app, or by calling 5-1-1.

511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

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