Ohio Rail Development Commission •  Press Release
 
1980 West Broad Street • Columbus, Ohio 43223
http://www.dot.state.oh.us/ohiorail
 
Ohio Rail Development Commission approves $400,000 grant to help rehabilitate Ashland Railway lines
 
COLUMBUS, OH. (Monday, January 30, 2012) – On Thursday, January 19, 2012 the Ohio Rail Development Commissioners approved $400,000 towards the rehabilitation of the Ashland Railway (ASRY) lines from Mansfield to Ashland.  This grant will help ensure the line continues to thrive and keep important, rail-dependent businesses in the area by repairing the track, increasing speed from 10 mph to 25 mph, saving both time and money for everyone using the line.
 
In coordination with local economic development officials, the railroad has been very aggressively marketing sites along its Mansfield to West Salem line.   Evan Scurti, the Director of Ashland Area Council for Economic Development, explains that “This is a very important project.  Over the past 20+ years, Ashland has witnessed how a very competitive global economy often leads to business decisions that negatively affect industrial Midwest towns.  However, we have had some exciting recent successes due to our competitive advantages.  A short-line railroad that is investing in itself is a prime example of an asset that is helping us fuel industrial growth.”  ASRY industrial development efforts have resulted in two new customers on the Mansfield to Ashland segment this past year. 
 
One new customer, McFarland-Cascade, near Mansfield, uses the railroad to move telephone poles.  In addition, ASRY has added a new Barbasol plant in Ashland to its customer base in the last year.  Mayor Glen Stewart emphasized that “The Ashland Business Park is centrally located between Cleveland, Akron, and Columbus, with very easy access to I-71 and US 250.  This has attracted great companies who are distributing products across North America and the world.  The ASRY and State investments into the railroad will further strengthen our reputation as a premiere location for efficient supply and product shipments.”  Atef Halaka, President of Barbasol, LLC, explained that Ashland Railway’s services were a key factor that attracted [Barbasol] to Ashland during their 2008 site selection process.  “Transportation is one of our second or third highest costs and the use of rail is and will continue to be imperative to our success”.
 
State Representative Dave Hall, 97th District, who strongly supported the approval of the grant expressed that “This is excellent news and I am thrilled for the City of Ashland.  The railway grant is a major victory for the community, and I applaud the Ashland Economic Development team and Ohio Rail Development Commission for their outstanding work.  Without a doubt, these funds will enable local officials to improve the city and create jobs.”
 
For more information contact:
Julianne Kaercher
Public Information Officer
Ohio Rail Development Commission
614-728-9497
julianne.kaercher@dot.state.oh.us
 
 
Ohio Rail Development Commission •  Press Release
 
1980 West Broad Street • Columbus, Ohio 43223
http://www.dot.state.oh.us/ohiorail
First double stack intermodal train to used Heartland Connector this weekend, Norfolk Southern and public partners announce
 
COLUMBUS, OH. (Tuesday January 17, 2012) – The Ohio Rail Development Commission, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Council of Governments, Norfolk Southern and Ohio Department of Transportation announced that a major milestone was reached Sunday night when the first double- stack intermodal train traveled along the new Heartland Connector.  The success of this project demonstrates how important public-private partnerships are to progressing and completing major economic development opportunities that arise across Ohio and the nation.
 
The first double-stack train rolling along the connector between Cincinnati and Columbus represents the culmination of a $6.1 million effort to upgrade the rail line, which will provide substantial benefits to customers and the general public. Among the benefit is the shortening of travel time for double-stack intermodal trains leaving the Port of Hampton Roads, Va., for the Midwest as well as reduced traffic congestion on western Ohio interstate highways.  “The Rail Commission is very happy to have been able to facilitate this very important infrastructure project that builds on previous investments and further solidifies Ohio’s position in the global supply chain” says ORDC Executive Director Matthew Dietrich.
 
The upgrade project involved opening clearances at five locations between Cincinnati and Columbus and installing new track at the Rickenbacker Intermodal Terminal near Columbus. Financial support for the project included $3.6 million from the federal government, administered by the Ohio Rail Development Commission, combined with matching contributions from Norfolk Southern and the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Council of Governments.
 
Prior to the opening of the Heartland Connector, double-stack intermodal trains traveling to the Midwest from the Port of Hampton Roads, Va., would have to follow an elongated and congested path through southeastern Tennessee and into a busy rail yard in Cincinnati. Now, those trains can follow a less busy route through Columbus and Sharonville on their way to Detroit.
 
The Heartland Connector will:
· Reduce transit times from the Port of Hampton Roads to Sharonville by 1 – 2 days for Monday – Wednesday departures.
· Add an additional day of frequency from both Norfolk International Terminals and the Portsmouth APMT marine terminal to Cincinnati and Detroit.
· Improve consistency and reliability between these markets and the Port of Hampton Roads.
 
The general public benefits, as well. The more goods shipped by rail means fewer long-distance trucks on interstate highways like I-71 and I-75, and trains – capable of hauling one ton of freight 480 miles per gallon of fuel – are more fuel efficient than tractor trailers.
The Ohio Rail Development Commission is a state commission whose mission is to plan, promote, and implement the improved movement of goods and people faster and safer on a rail transportation network connecting Ohio to the nation and the world.   The ORDC assists with economic development funding by partnering with local governments, railroads, private businesses and other state agencies on freight and safety projects.
 
For more information contact:
Julianne Kaercher
Public Information Officer
Ohio Rail Development Commission
614-728-9497
julianne.kaercher@dot.state.oh.us