Ohio Rail Development Commission Approves $3.9 Million for Projects

The Ohio Rail Development Commission approved two projects for grant funding at its bi-monthly meeting last month.

Three additional projects were also granted state funds to help their applications compete for federal funding. Collectively, the commission’s $3.9 million in grant funding assistance will result in nearly $66.1 million in infrastructure investment in Ohio, officials said in a release.

The commission approved a $300,000 grant to the Ross County Engineer’s Office to replace a roadway bridge spanning the state-owned Jackson Rail Line. With approval of this grant, the $1.5 million project will reopen the roadway to vehicular traffic, with the County assuming ownership and maintenance of the bridge moving forward.

Winchester Ag Service was approved for a $125,000 grant to rehabilitate rail infrastructure at its facility in Winchester, Adams County. The $300,000 project is necessary for Winchester Ag to serve a new plant operation located approximately 20 miles from the company.

The commission is partnering with three railroads on the upcoming Federal Railroad Administration’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grant program:

• The Commission approved a $1 million grant for a $10.4 million project to rehabilitate the 70-mile Cincinnati Eastern Railroad mainline between Hamilton and Adams County.
• The Commission approved a $700,000 grant for a $7.5 million project to upgrade 8.5 miles of the Wabash mainline from the Pergo turnout to the Indiana state line.
• The Commission approved a $1.75 million grant for a $46.5 million project that will improve sections of the Indiana & Ohio Railway/WESTCO from the Ohio-Michigan state line to Jeffersonville, Fayette County, Ohio. The project will allow full double-stack intermodal container clearance on the line.
• In addition, the Commission authorized staff to sponsor several grade-separation projects under the federal Railroad Crossing Elimination grant program when the next funding round is announced. The authorization includes projects in the cities of Fairfield and Toledo, as well as Columbiana, Scioto and Union Counties.

“Approval of these projects continues to demonstrate the Rail Commission’s commitment to improving rail safety and supporting development in Ohio,” Ohio Rail Development Commission Executive Director Matthew Dietrich said in a release.