YOUNGSTOWN — A short-line railroad that operates between Youngstown and the Greater Pittsburgh region has received a $350,025 investment from the Ohio Rail Development Commission for track and other upgrades.

The commission’s contribution is the last funding piece of the $1.4 million project by the Youngstown & Southeastern Railroad to install 10,300 railroad ties and address surfacing needs between Struthers and Columbiana County.

Five highway-rail at grade-crossing surfaces also will be repaired.

The railroad, a subsidiary of Kansas City, Mo.-based Midwest & Bluegrass Rail, LLC, is contributing $300,025 and already had $700,500 secured from the Federal Railroad Administration.

“Benefits to Ohio are significant and include improved safety for rail shipments on the YSRR line, allowing YSRR to continue to market sites along the line as ‘ready to receive’ rail service,” according to the commission, which OK’d the funding Wednesday.

Youngstown & Southeastern operates and maintains nearly 40 miles of track in Ohio and Pennsylvania, between Youngstown and the Greater Pittsburgh region, according to its website.

Connections are made with the Norfolk Southern Railway in Youngstown and with CSX Transportation in Lowellville.

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