Kaptur Announces $50 Million in Federal Railroad Administration Investment in Rail Infrastructure for Northwest Ohio Rail InfrastructurePress ReleaseTradeJobs and the Economy

Toledo, OH - Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) announced investments of nearly $50 Million in Rail Infrastructure for Northwest Ohio. The Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway will receive a $43.5 Million award through the US Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and its Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program. The award will be used to make improvements to the Toledo Swing Bridge over the Maumee River. Congresswoman Kaptur, the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, and representatives from the Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway will hold a press conference Monday in Toledo to announce further details related to this major funding award. In addition, the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) will receive a $5.6 Million FRA CRISI award to be used to update track infrastructure along a section of the Indiana Northeastern Railroad in Williams County.

"Our railways are a crucial mode of transportation connecting our region, the industrial heartland of America, to markets around the world," said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). "I am thrilled to see this investment in railways here in Northwest Ohio. Access to strong and safe rail infrastructure is vital for trade across the Great Lakes Region, connecting us to global markets. The Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway Company is an important part of our economy, moving tens of thousands of freight cars each year. I look forward to seeing how their improvements bolster trade and increase rail safety for years to come."

"The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority is glad to see that the rehabilitation of the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Bridge over the Maumee River will be moving forward with the assistance of the CRISI program," said Thomas Winston, President & CEO of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. "This project not only improves the efficiency of railroad operations in the port area but also improves the reliability of the functionality of the bridge, making it safer and reducing potential delays for maritime traffic moving though the area."

Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway's award seeks to rehabilitate and modernize the Toledo Swing Bridge over the Maumee River. This includes the rehabilitation of eight of the eleven bridge spans and replacing timber fender systems on the bridge. Upon completion, the upgrades will increase the bridge's capacity to support up to 286,000-pound railcars.

"I am thrilled that the Ohio Rail Development Commission is the recipient of this tremendous investment in rail infrastructure," said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). The Indiana Northeastern Railroad Company operates over 100-miles of track throughout our region, and today's award will allow them to improve parts of that track right here in Northwest Ohio. By making our rail systems safer, we are creating more jobs and increasing the trade that flows through our community. When our railroads are stronger, our nation is stronger."

"We are grateful to the Federal Railroad Administration for selecting these crucial projects to receive federal funding," said Ohio Rail Development Commission Executive Director Matthew Dietrich. "These investments directly deliver on our commitment to upgrading vital infrastructure, enhancing safety, and strengthening freight service reliability across Northwest Ohio."

The Ohio Rail Development Commission's award will be used to improve sections of track on the Indiana Northeastern Railroad in Williams County. Improvements will be made to extend sidings, replace rail, and resurface track along nine miles of the rail system.

Creating reliable, efficient, and affordable transportation for people and products remains a strong priority for Congresswoman Kaptur. In 2024, she secured a total of $18.57 Million in FRA awards for the Northern Ohio & Western Railway and the Napolean, Defiance, & Western Railway. These two awards were made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, of which Kaptur was a staunch advocate as it moved through Congress.

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