U.S. Department of Transportation announces $320M in rail infrastructure grants

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The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced Wednesday that it has selected projects to receive grant funding from the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program.

The 50 projects in 29 states include a wide variety of railroad investments to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of freight and intercity passenger service.

“This $320.6 million federal investment will upgrade U.S. rail infrastructure and enhance rail safety in communities across America,” said U.S Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

Nine of the selected projects will specifically address safety at highway-rail crossings and deter illegal trespassing, which are the leading causes of railroad-related deaths in the country. Other projects, the department said, expand, upgrade, or rehabilitate railroad track, switches, yard, and station facilities to increase performance and service delivery.

“We remain committed to helping address pressing transportation capital needs, particularly in rural areas,” FRA Administrator Ronald L. Batory said. “I am pleased that so many high-quality applications were submitted for worthwhile investments by the FRA.”

The CRISI grants are funded through the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act to improve the safety, reliability, and efficiency of intercity and passenger and freight rail systems. The grants were allocated over 60 percent of the funds.

The projects ranged from $3.4 million to the state of Arkansas for upgrading tracks and building additional sidings along 25 miles of Louisiana and North West Railroad Company, LLC (LNW) tracks, which would allow the applicant to handle 286,000-pound tank cars, to $16.8 million to Maine for replacing 75 miles of rail and strengthening five bridges in Central Maine between Waterville and Mattawamkeag to improve the safety and speed of the Pine Tree Corridor of the Springfield Terminal Railway Company.