Columbus (Thursday, May 6 , 2010) – A rail spur nearly the length of a football field may seem a short stretch of track, but at almost 300 feet, it will be an important rail link between Toledo Shipyard and the nation’s rail system. Notice to proceed with construction of the spur has been issued by the Ohio Rail Development Commission, using $119,830 in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Currently the Toledo Shipyard’s immediate neighbor, Kraft Foods, is served by the Norfolk Southern Railroad.  Extending a new rail spur from that track will allow for steel and other materials that support Ironhead Marine’s operations to be shipped and delivered by rail.

“The new rail spur in the Port of Toledo Shipyard effectively connects the shipyard to an intricate rail network which allows large scale production to easily move in and out of the shipyard via rail.  We are incredibly pleased to be able to move the timeline on this project up significantly due to this funding,” says Paul Toth, President and CEO of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. “We are particularly enthused because the rail spur will directly result in job creation.”

“Bringing public and private parties together to fund rail-based solutions that create or expand business and jobs goes to the heart of what the ORDC does so well”, says ORDC Chairman James Bradley.  The retired CEO of Wheeling-Pitt Steel, Bradley says he particularly identifies with Ironhead Marine’s need for getting timely, cost-effective deliveries of steel and other materials saying “In this case, a rail spur saves a trucking move by getting the shipyard what it needs right to where it is used.”

Diversified Road & Pipe, Inc was selected after submitting the lowest and most responsible bid for the project.  Construction is underway.

The Ohio Rail Development Commission is a state commission whose mission is to plan, promote, and implement the improved movement of goods and people faster and safer on a rail transportation network connecting Ohio to the nation and the world.   The ORDC assists with economic development funding by partnering with local governments, railroads, private businesses and other state agencies on freight, safety and passenger projects.

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For more information contact:
Stu Nicholson, ORDC Communications,
 at 614-644-0513
or:
Carla Firestone, Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority
At 419260-9981