LIMA, OH (WLIO) - It has been a thorn in many motorists' sides for years and the City of Lima is starting the process to see if it can be improved.
The Ohio Rail Development Commission has approved a request for funding for the city to have a study done on the viability of a grade separation at the North Cable Road rail crossing. With a rail yard to the east and the grain elevator to the west, the crossing is often blocked causing headaches for motorists and area businesses. The study will identify alternatives that could best address the issues with the heavily traveled grade crossing.
"It's become a complicated issue and there's a lot of barriers if you will, geographical barriers just with private property. It's probably one of the hardest locations we've looked at as far as trying to find a solution," stated Kirk Niemeyer, Lima Public Works Director.
Niemeyer says the study itself could take up to a year. The grant funding request for the study was up to $1.5 million and will be awarded depending on what the study will cover.
January 24, 2024 Press Release from the City of Lima: In October 2023, the City of Lima submitted an application to the Ohio Rail Development Commission’s Grade Crossing Elimination Program. In the application, the City of Lima sought grant funding to explore options for grade crossing elimination at the heavily traveled North Cable Road railroad track crossing.
The Ohio Rail Development Commission (ODRC) announced on Tuesday, January 23rd that the City of Lima will receive funding for a study to determine the viability of a grade separation project at North Cable Road. Over the coming weeks, the ORDC will select a consultant to perform the study, with anticipated start of mid-summer 2024. The consultant will identifying multiple approach alternatives that best address the considerations of the community, and collect necessary information needed to develop a potential grade separation project and federal funding application.
