CIRCLEVILLE, OH — After more than a decade of discussion, Circleville leaders are taking a major step toward addressing one of the city’s most pressing infrastructure challenges: train blockages on South Court Street.
At Tuesday night’s Council of the Whole meeting, American Structurepoint presented an update on plans for a grade separation project — an overpass that will allow emergency vehicles, residents, and commuters to cross the railroad tracks without delay.
Project Manager Craig Litmer explained that the South Court Street corridor was selected as the preferred site following a citywide study, traffic analysis, and a heavily attended public meeting in 2024. Residents and emergency officials overwhelmingly supported Court Street, citing its role as a primary travel route and critical link for emergency response to the city’s south side.
The $25 million project recently secured a significant boost with a $20 million federal grant through the Federal Railroad Administration’s Crossing Elimination Program. The remaining costs will be split between the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) and the City of Circleville, with each contributing approximately $2.5 million.
“Securing this funding is a huge turning point,” Litmer told the council. “It means we no longer just have an idea — we now have a project.”
The next steps include refining the alignment of the bridge to minimize property impacts, finalizing utility relocations, and beginning right-of-way acquisition by 2028. Construction is expected to start around 2030, though officials noted they hope to move faster if possible.
The project will also include sidewalks and accommodations for pedestrians and bicycles. Officials anticipate construction could take about one year, though utility relocation and soil settlement could extend the timeline.
Council members raised concerns about property impacts, detour routes during construction, and potential opportunities to shift the alignment westward to reduce residential displacement. Littler emphasized that those issues will be studied in detail during the next design phase.
The resolution passed Tuesday formally accepts the feasibility study’s recommendation to pursue South Court Street as the official alignment. Additional council action will be required in future phases, particularly regarding funding agreements and property acquisitions.
“This is a critical project for Circleville’s future,” said Public Service Director Jim Stanley. “It will save lives, improve mobility, and finally solve a problem that has plagued our community for decades.”
But with this planning, it sets several homes and businesses on the chopping block, according to the plans. Litmer said that those properties will be approached, offers will be given, and help to relocate is part of the process. They expect that to happen close to 2028.
The alignment is not complete, though with not only Structurepoint but also Council mentioning in the meeting that there was an area to the west of South Court street, in particular the old mill property, that may be used to save more homes.
