SALEM The Ohio Rail Development Commission has approved a grant of up to $7.7 million for Columbiana County and the City of Salem to eliminate a busy street-level train crossing with a history of serious incidents.

The funding is designated to replace the existing Lincoln Avenue at-grade crossing near the Fresh Mark plant with an overpass or underpass, a change known as a grade separation.

The project is driven by safety concerns at the location. Federal Railroad Administration data shows that the crossing has been the site of three reported incidents since 2015, resulting in two fatalities and one injury. Both fatal incidents involved pedestrians in 2015 and 2021. The injury occurred in October 2024 when a motor vehicle was struck by a train.

In addition to the federally tracked incidents, local police have documented other safety issues, including a 2019 instance where an unoccupied car was struck by a train while blocking the tracks, and a 2015 rear-end collision involving cars waiting for a passing train.

The Lincoln Avenue crossing is a vital route in northern Columbiana County and currently sees heavy rail traffic. More than 40 Norfolk Southern freight trains and two Amtrak passenger trains pass through the intersection daily. Separating the street from the tracks is expected to improve safety for drivers and pedestrians, as well as ensure the smooth flow of rail traffic.

The total cost of the project is estimated at $27 million. The Rail Commission will also sponsor the community's application for additional federal funding through the Federal Railroad Administration.

The Lincoln Avenue project was one of eight rail initiatives approved by the commission at its meeting on November 13, 2025. In total, the approved projects will result in more than $81 million in investment across Ohio's rail network.

Matthew Dietrich, Executive Director of the Ohio Rail Development Commission, noted that these projects demonstrate a commitment to both rail safety and economic development across the state. "Safe and efficient rail operations within Ohio are a critical component of our mission," Dietrich said. "We are pleased to help them continue to grow and thrive in Ohio.”