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1/29/2024
The Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORCD) last week announced it approved funding for several projects across the state.
A city of Hudson proposed grade separation project at Hines Hill Road will be funded by the Ohio Grade Crossing Elimination Program (OGCEP) with money provided in the most recent state budget for grade crossing eliminations. The Rail Commission will contribute $2,886,174 to match the community’s additional 20% funding commitment to ensure the application to the Federal Railroad Administration's Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Program, expected to be due in March, is competitive, according to an ORDC news release. Norfolk Southern Railway, the operating railroad, has agreed to commit funding toward the project.
If the federal application is successful, this $14 million project will construct a grade separation at Hines Hill Road and permanently close the crossing that experiences a high volume of train traffic.
Funding was also approved thorugh the OGCEP for the city of Ashland’s track relocation project. The city plans to remove an existing grade crossing at Union Street and reconfigure the rail sidings. The crossing was once needed to access an industry that is currently no longer in operation. The project will relocate the rail sidings away from the crossing and permanently close the at-grade crossing at Union Street.
The ORDC approved $804,735, or 90%, toward the total project cost. The city will contribute the remaining 10%.
Meanwhile, the ORDC also approved funding from the OGCEP to the Butler County engineer’s office for its proposed roadway relocation project in St. Clair Township. The project calls for constructing an access road for the Cedar Grove residential subdivision and close at least one existing grade crossing, potentially two crossings.
The total project cost is $3.1 million. The ORDC will contribute $2.7 million, or 90% of the cost, with Butler County contributing 10%. NS will also contribute funding.
In addition, ORDC approved a $330,000 grant for the Cincinnati Eastern Railroad for a rehabilitation project along the railroad’s Cincinnati District Line in Adams and Browns counties. The railroad will use the funds to purchase and install 3,000 rail ties, add 2,000 tons of ballast, install 202 kegs of spikes and complete surface reconstruction work.