COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Rail Development Commission approved a grant to Columbiana County and the city of Salem of up to $7.7 million from the Ohio Grade Crossing Elimination Program to replace the existing at-grade crossing at Lincoln Avenue with a grade separation.
The rail commission will sponsor the grant application to the Federal Railroad Administration.
Lincoln Avenue is an important thoroughfare in northern Columbiana County, and the crossing sees more than 40 Norfolk Southern trains and two Amtrak trains per day. The total project investment is estimated at $27 million.
In total, the rail commission approved eight projects at its recent bimonthly meeting, resulting in more than $81 million in rail infrastructure investment in the state. The projects include rail rehabilitation, rail expansion, rail bridge rehabilitations and two grade crossing elimination projects in Columbiana and Butler counties.
“The projects approved by the rail commission each represent a significant commitment by these companies and communities to improve rail safety and enhance economic development within the state,” said Matthew Dietrich, executive director of the Ohio Rail Development Commission. “Safe and efficient rail operations within Ohio are a critical component of our mission. These projects also illustrate just how important rail is to our economy. We are pleased to help them continue to grow and thrive in Ohio.”
In addition to the Columbiana County project, grants were awarded to:
- Ashland Railway, $237,000.
- Cincinnati Eastern Railroad, $300,000.
- Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, $900,000.
- Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority, $800,000.
- Washington Penn Plastic, $600,000.
- Tectum Inc. – Armstrong World Industries, $100,000.
- Butler County Transportation Improvement District and the city of Fairfield, up to $7.5 million.