Hudson City Council staff announced that the city secured approximately $13,705,000 in federal funding for a Hines Hill grade‑separation project, supplemented by $2,800,000 in state funds previously awarded and $75,000 from Norfolk Southern. City officials said the total package covers design and project planning, with staged design work planned across 2025–2027 and construction anticipated between 2028 and 2030.

The grant award matters because the grade separation would build a bridge over the railroad tracks to reduce vehicle and school‑bus delays, improve emergency response routes and remove frequent train blockages that have been cited in prior grant applications. City staff also said the design will include two bike lanes, two sidewalks and three travel lanes on the bridge to allow a construction lane if needed.

“We are the only agency in the state of Ohio that got full funding for this project,” a staff member said during the Jan. 18 retreat meeting. The staff member told council that the consultant hired for design will produce renderings and phased deliverables; council members were shown conceptual plans and told a public process and multiple public meetings will follow once renderings are available.

Project details given to council include a minimum clearance of 32 feet above the railroad so the structure will pass safely above rail operations; the bridge alignment will tie into Prospect Street on the east and connect with local roads on the west. Staff said they have asked the city engineer to evaluate a roundabout at Prospect and Hines Hill as a “tool in the toolbox,” but that traffic counts and safety analysis will determine whether a roundabout, signal or other treatment is appropriate.

City staff described the design schedule as phased: an initial package of work and renderings to be delivered this year, followed by permit and final design tasks across the subsequent two years. The consultant’s early conceptual renderings will be used for public outreach; staff told council they would present these images to the community as soon as the consultant can supply them.

Funding and delivery: staff said the city applied through state and federal programs and that the Ohio Rail Commission and other partners helped secure the award. Norfolk Southern contributed a $75,000 minimum railroad match toward the project. Council was told the federal grant is administered through the state and that ODOT and local district offices will monitor schedule and cost thresholds throughout design and construction. Staff emphasized ODOT’s strict adherence to schedule and project limits for federal projects.

Council members noted the bridge will be visible to residents and suggested using renderings to help the public understand the scope, approach and schedule. Staff committed to a robust public‑process sequence during design and to provide progress updates to council.

Ending: Staff said they expect to share conceptual renderings within weeks and to present formal design milestones and public meeting dates as design moves forward. The council asked that staff include the bridge project in upcoming public communications and pledged to support outreach once visuals and schedule milestones are available.