The Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) has approved a $7.7 million grant for railroad crossing improvements in Salem. The project is meant to upgrade a crossing on Lincoln Avenue near the Fresh Mark plant.
The funding comes from the Ohio Grade Crossing Elimination Program, a $100 million initiative established by Gov. Mike DeWine through House Bill 33 in 2023 to help communities address dangerous crossings.
At present, the at-grade crossing has a history of violent accidents. According to data from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the site has seen three major incidents since 2015. Those incidents resulted in two deaths and one injury.
Along with the federally tracked data, local reports show other safety concerns. A 2019 instance saw a vacant vehicle hit by a train while parked on the tracks. Another incident in 2015 involved a multi-car accident on the roadway while cars were waiting for a passing train.
To address these concerns, officials plan to make a change known as a grade separation. This involves either creating an underpass or overpass, separating the roadway from the tracks and allowing both to function independently.
The total project cost is estimated at $27 million. Columbiana County commissioners have authorized an application to the FRA’s National Railroad Partnership Program seeking $19.5 million in federal funds to cover much of the remaining cost. The county and city of Salem will each contribute $250,000 as a local match, and the ORDC will sponsor the application.
Officials said they expect to learn whether the federal funding is approved by next summer, with construction potentially beginning around 2030. Columbiana County will own, operate and maintain the bridge structure upon completion.
According to officials, the change improves not only rail safety but economic development as well. The Salem crossing is particularly busy, seeing more than 40 freight trains pass by every day along with two Amtrak passenger trains.
The Salem project on Lincoln Avenue is one of eight initiatives in total approved by ORDC involving rail operations. All approved projects will generate more than $81 million in total investment, according to officials.
Photo by Michael Morse from Pexels
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