First Posted: 1/27/2015
LIMA — Thanks to improvements to one of the rail lines going through Allen County, motorists can expect faster and more frequent train traffic.
The Chicago, Fort Wayne and Eastern Railroad will complete a project later this month improving 315 miles of rail line stretching from Tolleston, Indiana, to Crestline, Ohio, crossing Van Wert, Allen and Hardin counties. The improvements will include leveling and aligning nearly 50 miles of track, replacing rail segments, and installing more than 10,000 new railroad ties, allowing trains to maintain a consistent speed of 40 mph through the entire line as well as allowing for six additional eastbound freight trains per day.
In Allen County, this line parallels state Route 309 coming in from the west, crossing Eastown and Cable roads before working through downtown Lima, continuing eastbound into Hardin County.
“I saw crews out working on that line earlier this month and there was a crew out by the Jackson Street crossing” on Monday, Lima’s Public Works Director Howard Elstro said.
CFE president Chuck McBride hailed the improvements as a boon to the region’s infrastructure, allowing for greater economic development.
“By increasing the railroad’s capacity to transport freight, the improvement project benefits existing customers and also makes the CFE corridor more attractive for potential new customers and economic development opportunities along the line,” he said in a statement.
Along with economic development, this project also has the potential to impact public safety, according to Elstro.
“It’s something that the motoring public should be aware of as they drive throughout the city and the county,” he said. “All crossing guards and safety devices should be honored and regarded.”
Genesee & Wyoming, the parent company of CFE, has not released any details on if this project will improve the Cable Road railroad crossing, notorious for being in disrepair.
“We’re looking forward to the CFE’s plans for Cable Road here in the near future,” Elstro said.
