N E W S W I R E

Transportation Review Advisory Council  Internet Media Advisory/Public Notice

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 20,  2002

Rail Grade Separation Money for Fostoria

COLUMBUS – Gov. Bob Taft’s Rail Grade Separation Program will be providing nearly $9 million to free Fostoria residents from the "iron triangle" – railroad lines that have knotted traffic in the city for years.

A four-man subcommittee of the Transportation Review Advisory Council today voted to provide $8.8 million in state funds to construct overpasses, one on Township Road 43 on the east side of Fostoria and one on West Tiffin Street on the west side.

Subcommittee chairman Gordon Proctor, ODOT director, said, "When Gov. Taft launched this initiative in 2000, Fostoria’s iron triangle was one of the main targets. It is gratifying to be able to move the program along and to know that thousands of Fostoria residents will soon be spared time consuming and even dangerous delays affecting commuters and emergency vehicles."

So far, the Taft program has authorized 15 overpasses or underpasses worth $105 million.

Over a 10-year period, the state will provide $200 million for rail grade improvements.

In a recent letter to ODOT, Fostoria Mayor John Davoli thanked the agency for working to solve the city’s problem: "I want to thank ODOT for all of your time and devotion to these two projects and pray for their timely completion."

Construction is expected to begin in 2005. The Tiffin Avenue overpass will cost an estimated $5.4 million, with the TRAC providing $5 million in funds from the rail grade program. The rest is to come from the city and CSX Railroad.

The Township 43 overpass is to get $3.8 million from the state and $300,000 from the city and CSX.

A complete listing of project information can be seen at the ODOT Web site: www.dot.state.oh.us/trac/rail/status.htm

Link to: TRAC Web site |