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Last week, the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) approved funds for three freight-rail infrastructure projects.

The commission will provide a $450,000 grant and loan package for an intermodal facility in Marion, Ohio. Joint operators CSX Transportation, Kansas City Southern and Schneider National Inc. will use the funds to purchase and rehabilitate a second lift crane for the Marion Industrial Center facility, which opened in June 2006. The second crane will help boost capacity and improve operational efficiency.

ORDC also approved a $75,000 grant to help Alpla Inc. fund a new 2,300-foot lead track and a 400-foot rail spur to obtain rail access at its Lima plastics plant; and a $25,000 grant to help Cambridge-Guernsey Community Improvement Corp. pay for a new turnout switch and short track to store a tourist train operated by the Byesville Scenic Railway. The project will enable the Ohio Central Railroad to serve a local industry without having to wait for a tourist train to clear its mainline.

An independent Ohio Department of Transportation agency, ORDC oversees freight and passenger railroad issues, grade crossing safety, and rail travel and tourism.