U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced 32 projects in 27 states will receive federal grants to fund railroad infrastructure projects.
Part of the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, the grants total nearly $250 million and were authorized as part of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act to improve infrastructure safety, efficiency and reliability.
“This $248.5 million federal investment will upgrade rail infrastructure and enhance safety on the tracks and at railroad crossings in rural and urban communities across America,” Chao said in a statement.
Of the projects, nearly 50 percent are in rural areas. Fifteen of the 32 projects are located in opportunity zones, created to revitalize economically distressed communities using private investments.
The projects include:
• $3.8 million for the replacement of the 70-year-old Bird Creek Pony Truss Bridge in Alaska at M. P. 86.6 which will allow Alaska Railroad to operate 286,000 pound rail cars and double-stack trains.
• $18 million for a railroad rehabilitation project in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia that would refurbish bridges on the Delmarva Central Railroad and upgrade more than 100 miles of track between Porter, Del., and Lecato, Va.
• $10 million for the Burbank Corridor Speed and Safety Improvements Project by the Southern California Regional Rail Authority for environmental analysis, engineering, and construction between Glendale and Burbank Junction.
• $5.3 million for the Hattiesburg (MS) Downtown Railroad Innovation to build three components – a grade separation over the Canadian National north-south rail line, a connection track to improve freight movement in and out of the Norfolk Southern railyard and the installation of new dynamic messaging signs and mobile mapping to alert drivers about blocked crossings or trains in the area.
A full list of projects can be found on the FRA website.