ORDC Awards Two Rail Rehab Grants
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor, Railway Age
Ann Arbor Railroad, a Watco subsidiary.
Watco Photograph
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) on Jan. 27 reported approving rail infrastructure project grants for Watco subsidiary Ann Arbor Railroad and AluChem of Jackson Inc., as well as funding for Ohio Operation Lifesaver.
Ann Arbor Railroad was awarded $120,000, which will go toward the $240,000 rehabilitation of a grade crossing at Chrysler Drive (DOT #000801T) in Toledo. Located on the spur line serving the Jeep plant, the project “will greatly improve safety for the traveling public, improve the safety and efficiency of railroad operations, and reduce delays caused by current track conditions,” said ORDC, an independent commission within the Ohio Department of Transportation. “Both the rail line and Chrysler Drive already see a significant amount of rail and vehicular traffic, and with a recent announcement of a new mid-size truck assembly launching, this line could generate substantially more rail traffic within the next few years.”
AluChem of Jackson, Inc. was awarded $75,000 to assist with the reactivation of a second track at its facility in Jackson County, which is served by Regional Rail subsidiary Ohio South Central Railroad. As a result of the $150,000 project, AluChem will gain additional storage capacity that “will help improve on-time performance and prevent the need to ship product via truck,” according to ORDC.
“The projects approved by the Ohio Rail Development Commission illustrate these companies’ commitment to safety and demonstrate the importance of rail service to Ohio companies,” ORDC Executive Director Matthew Dietrich said. “Promoting safe and efficient rail operations is critical to our mission, so we are happy to partner with these companies who share that goal.”
ORDC also approved funding for Ohio Operation Lifesaver’s Education Grant. The funding, it said, will go toward conducting a safety campaign with Cleveland’s NBC affiliate (WKYC Channel 3) from July through September 2026. The campaign is slated to air Public Service Announcements (PSAs) during evening newscasts and on the WKYC streaming app, and show display ads on WKYC.com. The funding will also help with the purchase of educational materials for first responders and the general public and for Operation Lifesaver’s booth at the 2026 Ohio State Fair, according to ORDC.
