The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently awarded three projects in two states more than $4 million through the Special Transportation Circumstances program to upgrade and improve the safety of rail infrastructure.
The program provides directed grant funding to states that lack intercity passenger rail service or states with a rail transportation system that isn’t connected to the rail system in the continental United States. Funds cover up to 80 percent of total project costs.
“This program delivers on our commitment to ensuring diversity in our infrastructure investments by expanding opportunities in rural communities,” FRA Administrator Amit Bose said.
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities was awarded up to $1.4 million for a proposed project to replace a howitzer avalanche control process with a Remote Avalanche Control System.
The South Dakota Department of Transportation was awarded up to $1.8 million for a project that will improve the economic growth, safety, resiliency, and efficiency of the Ringneck & Western Railroad. Work includes building two 1,500-foot transload tracks and a 558-foot industrial lead track.
The South Dakota Department of Transportation was awarded up to $800,000 for a project that will improve safety along the 163-mile-long single-track Rapid City, Pierre, & Eastern Railroad Pierre-Rapid City Subdivision by upgrading and installing eight culverts.