ORDC Approves Grant Assistance for Projects

ORDC

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) approved two projects for grant funding and three additional projects for state funding to assist with completing applications for federal funding.

According to the ORDC, its total investment in these projects is $3.9 million and will go toward a larger $66.1 million investment into Ohio’s infrastructure. The two projects approved for grant funding include a $300,000 grant to the Ross County Engineer’s Office and a $125,000 grant to the Winchester Ag Service, Inc.

The Ross County Engineer’s Office grant will go toward replacing a roadway bridge that spans the Jackson Rail Line (owned by the state). Once completed, the $1.5 million project will reopen the road to traffic. The County assumes ownership of the bridge and will be responsible for its maintenance.

Winchester Ag Service, Inc.’s grant will go toward rehabilitating rail infrastructure at a facility in Winchester, Adams County. The project, totaling $300,000, is “necessary for Winchester Ag to serve a new plant operation located approximately 20 miles from the company.”

Matthew Dietrich, Executive Director of the Ohio Rail Development Commission, said, “Approval of these projects continues to demonstrate the Rail Commission’s commitment to improving rail safety and supporting development in Ohio. We work very hard to maximize our resources for the benefit of communities in Ohio.”

The three remaining projects receiving grants for federal applications for CRISI funding include:

• $1 million for the 70-mile Cincinnati Eastern Railroad (CCET) for its $10.4 million project to rehabilitate the mainline between Hamilton and Adams County.
• $700,000 was approved by the ORDC for a $7.5 million project that will upgrade 8.5 miles of the Wabash mainline from the Pergo turnout to the Indiana state line.
• $1.75 million was approved for a $46.5 million project to improve sections of the Indiana & Ohio Railway/WESTCO from the state line to Jeffersonville, Ohio. Once completed, the project will allow full double stack intermodal container clearance.

Additionally, the ORDC has authorized its staff to “sponsor several grade separation projects for the federal Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) grant program when the next funding round is announced.” These projects are located in Fairfield, Toledo, Columbiana, Scioto, and Union Counties.