The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has awarded over $1.1 billion in funding through the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program to 123 rail projects across the nation, marking the largest investment in grade crossing safety in FRA history. Among the projects selected is North Ridgeville's Race Road project, aimed at improving safety and reducing delays.
“The city is proud to be a recipient of this funding. These improvements will enhance safety, reduce delays caused by blocked crossings and improve emergency response times by approximately two minutes,” said North Ridgeville Mayor Kevin Corcoran. He also expressed gratitude for the support of Governor DeWine in bringing railroad crossing safety and elimination to the forefront in Ohio.
The grant will support the Race Road project which will eliminate all at-grade crossings over a three-mile stretch of Norfolk Southern track by grade-separating the crossing at Race Road and closing the Maddock Road crossing. Funding will cover project development, design, right-of-way acquisition and construction. Additionally, a new mixed-use path will be constructed for cyclists and pedestrians.
Funding of up to $26,250,000 was awarded to the Ohio Rail Development Commission for the Race Road Grade Separation Project, assuring North Ridgeville funding to complete the Race Road overpass. The project is a collaborative effort, with the Ohio Rail Development Commission, the City of North Ridgeville and Norfolk Southern contributing to the required match.
North Ridgeville joins three other Ohio locations (Delaware County, Hudson and Circleville) in receiving funding under this program.
“Receiving this award is a tremendous milestone, as it guarantees the funding needed to complete the overpass,” said Mayor Corcoran. “What makes this achievement especially exciting is how it aligns with our Master Plan's goal of collaborating with government agencies on transportation projects that enhance traffic efficiency, safety and community connectivity. I extend my sincere gratitude to our colleagues at the Ohio Rail Development Commission and city staff who recognized this opportunity and worked diligently to create and submit the proposal last fall.”
North Ridgeville projects that construction of the Race Road overpass will begin in 2030.