Five Valley rail sites recommended for improvement

June 20, 2012 at 6:57p.m.

VIENNA

A study conducted by Cleveland-based Project RESTORE has recommended the five top projects it feels would best restore the railroad needs of the Mahoning Valley.

The $10,000 study was paid for by the Western Reserve Port Authority, which runs the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport and conducts economic development activities.

First on the list is $2.1 million worth of improvements to the railroad infrastructure at Ohio Commerce Center on state Route 45 in Lordstown.

The improvements would include new tracks, improvements to existing tracks and switches (which allow trains to switch tracks), and improvements to the state Route 45 bridge.

In April, the Ohio Department of Development awarded a $2 million grant to help prepare 266 acres of industrial and manufacturing space at the Ohio Commerce Center.

Ken Prendergast, head of RESTORE, said the improvements being suggested by RESTORE’s study would be in addition to the improvements covered by the grant.