OHIO — For the first time in six years, Ohio's Rail Development Commission has voted to approve a plan that lays out what the state's future could look like on the tracks.

The commission just voted to move Ohio's draft rail plan forward by sending it to the Federal Railroad Administration for review.

This new plan places a heavy emphasis on freight over passengers. It lists more than 100 freight-related projects with an estimated price tag of $1.6 billion.

Supporters said freight rail helps Ohio businesses move goods while keeping trucks and the wear and tear they cause off state highways.

"One third of the import-export commodities are moved by rail," Matthew Dietrich, executive director of the Ohio Rail Development Commission, said. "There's a huge share of traffic that's just going

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