SOUTH BLOOMFIELD — After 25 years of discussion, a multi-jurisdictional plan to bypass train-related emergency delays is finally moving forward. Officials from Harrison Township, South Bloomfield, and Ashville have announced a formal partnership to build a joint Safety Services Building west of the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks.
The project aims to solve a critical public safety crisis: the “nine-minute delay” caused by frequent train traffic that effectively splits the region in two.
The Railroad Bottleneck
The Norfolk Southern rail line currently sees 19 trains per day, including massive double-stacked container units that often slow or stop near local intermodal facilities. These blockages can last 30 minutes or more, cutting off access to State Routes 752 and 316, West Station, and Madison Avenue.
Currently, if a train is blocking the tracks, medics must detour miles to the north or south. Harrison Township Fire/EMS officials stress that these delays add at least nine minutes to response times for the 6,900 residents living west of the tracks—a delay they say “could mean the difference between life and death.”
A Historic Three-Way Partnership
Following a series of public meetings this week, the three entities have reached a landmark agreement:
- South Bloomfield: Will finance the joint venture, with plans to recoup costs through impact fees on new construction.
- Harrison Township: Has committed to staffing the new station full-time with one medic unit and one fire engine.
- Ashville: Is partnering in the grant pursuit to protect its western residents who are currently vulnerable to rail blockages.
“The purpose of this building is simple: seconds matter in emergency situations,” officials stated. The state has already expressed interest in the project, noting the rare level of collaboration between three separate local governments.
Strategic Location: The Old Municipal Site
The proposed station would be located at the former municipal building site, chosen for its direct access to US-23 and State Route 316.
- Fire/EMS would occupy 55% of the facility.
- South Bloomfield Police would occupy 45%, gaining a strategic advantage by avoiding the need to drive through local parks to reach State Route 316 during emergencies.
Growth and Timing
The urgency for the station is heightened by the recent announcement of the Anduril Arsenal 1 project and rapid commercial development along the US-23 corridor. Harrison Township currently handles 3,000 calls annually across 127 square miles; nearly 40% of those calls originate in the area currently hampered by train traffic.
Next Steps: The joint grant application is due to the state on March 12, 2026. If approved, officials hope to break ground as early as this summer. Residents are encouraged to send letters of support to state representatives to help secure the necessary funding.
