WASHINGTON - The city of Akron has won a $5.7 million federal transportation department grant to help it realign Evans Avenue to eliminate railroad crossings that cause transportation delays, according to U.S. Representatives Tim Ryan and Marcia Fudge.

In a joint press release, the pair said the FASTLANE grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation will help Akron construct two bridges over existing CSXT and Metro RTA rail tracks, helping to remove potentially dangerous rail crossings.

Ryan said the project will be a critical part of Akron's downtown redevelopment work by "creating an inviting connection into and out of the city and will help grow new and existing businesses in our community."

Fudge said "it will help improve commuter rail, enhance regional commerce, and connect Northeast Ohioans through infrastructure updates and much-needed construction projects."

The city's grant application said trains crossing Evans Avenue currently cause "lengthy delays for commuter traffic and emergency responders."

The planned work will increase safety at the crossings, improve traffic flow by eliminating vehicle delays caused by crossing trains, and "provide better sight distance, improved safety and driving conditions by re-aligning the road," the application said. It said the city would like to finish the work by November 2018.