The Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA’s) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program and the Special Transportation Circumstances Program will provide more than $326 million to 45 projects throughout the country, under recently announced grants.
“These are the partnerships that help rural and urban communities thrive economically,” FRA Administrator Ronald Batory said. “The participation of multiple partners demonstrates the importance of these funds and tells us they will be a key asset in improving safety for communities and railroads around the country.”
The projects, spread across 29 states, all seek to benefit railroad infrastructure. Intercity passenger and freight rail systems both benefit, with more than $118 million of the funding going to rural projects this time around.
First to consider are those funds allocated under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program. Its grants can be divided into several categories, the first of which — restoration and initiation — will see nearly $33 million dispatched to 20 projects across Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi to restore intercity passenger rail service.
Rural projects have also benefited significantly this time around. In Alabama, projects include up to $8 million being sent for the Old Highway 20 Grade Separation Project as well as nearly $176,000 to upgrade a U.S. DOT crossing. California will receive $17,415,000 to rehabilitate and upgrade 55 miles of the Sierra Northern Railway while Florida will receive $3,850,000 for the renewal of 52 miles of a CSX Transportation A-Line that will be given to Amtrak. In Georgia, $4 million will be awarded for upgrades to the Central Georgia Railway corridor, $1,350,000 for rehabilitation of the Chattooga & Chickamauga Railways, $820,000 for work on the Heart of Georgia-Midville line, $2,605,000 for upgrades to the Georgia Southwestern Railroad, more than $1 million for upgrades to the Ogeechee Railroad.
Major funding will also go to non-rural projects, which include up to $30 million for improvements near California’s Fullerton train station; $19,206,398 for Illinois’ Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency program; $17,615,500 for Florida plans for upgrades on the Jacksonville freight train; $28,790,947 for efforts to rehabilitate Missouri’s MacArthur Bridge; and $34,898,895 for expansions to North Carolina’s Piedmont Atlantic Intermodal Rail System, among others.
The remainder of the funds will benefit the Special Transportation Circumstances Program, which has two recipients this time around. Alaska will gain up to $1,405,871 for installing or converting electrical power capabilities to allow temperature control on trailer-hauled freight, as well as up to $921,808 to purchase 10 new 89-foot flat cars for the Alaska Railroad Corporation.