Trending
LISBON -- Federal funding sought to build a railroad overpass over South Lincoln Avenue in Salem is apparently on the way, according to press releases issued Wednesday by U.S. Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, and U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli, R-Ohio.
The two legislators announced they secured the funding "to improve railway safety and mobility in Salem by eliminating a railroad crossing at Lincoln Avenue."
The press release from Rulli announced the federal funding totals $21 million and noted the grant clears the way for construction to move forward.
Both the Columbiana County commissioners and Salem City Council passed legislation last year and early this year to submit applications to the Federal Railroad Administration seeking at least $19.5 million towards the project.
Both entities committed local matches of $250,000 each, with a $5 million commitment by the Ohio Rail Development Commission, which would bring the total estimated project cost to $25 million, now $26.5 million when combined with the awarded federal grant funding.
"It's great news," Columbiana County Engineer Bert Dawson said.
The press releases from Husted and Rulli said the "project will separate Lincoln Avenue from the Norfolk Southern rail line, eliminating conflicts between trains and vehicles, reducing traffic delays and improving access for emergency responders."
"Railroad crossings in Salem have caused significant delays for residents, local businesses and emergency responders, creating unnecessary safety risks. I'm proud to have advocated for this funding to address these challenges and improve safety for the community. This investment will help keep traffic moving, support local businesses and make life easier and safer for Ohioans," Husted said.
Rulli added, "Salem is my hometown, and I know firsthand how much this overpass matters to the families who travel it every day. This funding will make the crossing safer and cut the delays that have frustrated drivers for too long. I was proud to work with Senator Husted to deliver this investment for the people of Salem, and I look forward to seeing it strengthen public safety and drive economic growth across the region."
The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program following a letter from Husted and Rulli to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy advocating for the project. The letter dated Aug. 22, 2025 said, "This Salem overpass bridge will mitigate disruptions from 48 daily train movements. These trains delay emergency responders, stall local businesses, and create safety risks, including recent crashes. Supported by the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, this project will also unlock significant investments in Salem, the largest municipality in Columbiana County."
The resolution passed by commissioners last fall said the project "will alleviate much of the delays created for first responders and for the traveling public due to wait time at crossings and improve the flow of traffic between the county and the city of Salem."
The resolution also called the grade separation "a necessary project for the health and safety of the citizens due to the rail lines dividing the county from the city and access to the Salem hospital and safety services."
The project will be a county project and the county will own, operate and maintain the proposed bridge structure upon completion of the project.
No details were available about how the project would affect Chestnut Grove Road and Snyder Road or businesses near the tracks.
Rulli's press release explained that Lincoln Avenue is the main entrance to Salem from the south, carrying about 4,500 vehicles per day, including school buses and working citizens. Salem's police, fire and EMS stations all sit north of the crossing, "so a passing train can force emergency vehicles into a five-mile, 10-minute detour to reach residents and the region's only hospital in northern Columbiana County."
The press release also talked about how traffic backs up, with the new overpass expected to end delays.