The Ohio Grade Crossing Elimination Program was established by Governor DeWine through House Bill 33 (Operating Budget) for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025. The program is administered by the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) with the support of the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). It provides $100 million in state funding to assist Ohio communities in developing projects that can successfully compete for federal funding from the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Program. The program aims to reduce disruptions caused by at-grade railroad crossings, which can hinder vehicular and pedestrian traffic, delay emergency response times, and pose safety risks.

Ohio has nearly 5,700 at-grade railroad crossings, with over 10,500 reports of blocked crossings submitted since 2019. Addressing these issues requires significant resources, as grade separation and other mitigation projects can be costly and complex. The state program provides financial and technical assistance to local governments to help them develop competitive federal grant applications and secure funding to eliminate at-grade crossings.

The ORDC will categorize projects into four groups: those ready for immediate federal application, those needing additional development, those offering significant public benefits but lacking federal funding eligibility, and those that do not meet program requirements. The program encourages all eligible communities to submit applications, even if their projects are in the early planning stages. ORDC staff will collaborate with applicants to ensure their projects align with federal funding opportunities, providing guidance and resources to maximize success.

Eligible applicants include any public body that owns its road network, such as cities, villages, townships, counties, and ODOT districts. Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), Rural Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPOs), and county engineers may also apply on behalf of local communities. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with no fixed deadline, but communities are encouraged to apply early to optimize their chances of securing federal funding.

The Ohio Grade Crossing Elimination Program does not require local matching funds for application development activities. However, the FRA’s RCE Program mandates a non-federal cost share of at least 20%. Matching funds are expected to come from a combination of local community contributions, railroad investments, and the state program’s resources. In cases where projects offer significant safety benefits but are not selected for federal funding, the program may still provide financial support.

The Rail Commission and ODOT will assess submitted projects based on their potential to secure federal funding. Communities will receive feedback on their applications, and unsuccessful applicants will be given recommendations for improving their proposals for future submissions. More information on the program and the application process is available at www.rail.ohio.gov.