The Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has announced a federal investment of more than $2.4 billion in state rail and bridge upgrades throughout the country.
The funding will come from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and go into 122 rail improvement projects in 41 states and Washington.
The funds will be administered through the FRA’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program. This is the only program that provides federal funding to assist smaller railroad systems in rural America.
The CRISI grants also support the railroad workforce through apprenticeship programs, training, partnerships with universities, and research.
Illinois will receive more than $157 million for the Springfield Rail Improvements Project, which will “advance the efforts to provide a higher speed intercity passenger rail connection between St. Louis and Chicago.”
North Carolina’s Railroad Company Carolinian and Piedmont Passenger and Freight Improvements Project will get more than $105.5 million “to meet the growing demands of both freight and passenger rail traffic.”
“Upgrades would add over five miles of sidings, reconstruct up to 69 miles of track, eliminate one grade crossing, and improve track geometry,” the Department of Transportation (DOT) stated.
Michigan will receive more than $67 million for a program that aims to install 17,200 feet of new track, upgrade pavement, and replace diesel gantry cranes with hybrid and electric cranes.
“Today’s investments in our rail systems reflect the Biden–Harris Administration’s commitment to building a stronger, safer, and more resilient transportation network,” DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.
More than $26.6 million will be invested in Arizona’s Eastern Arizona Rail Safety, Efficiency, and Resiliency Project to rehabilitate 34 miles of track, replace three bridges, install two emergency crossings, and refurbish two tank cars into firefighting vehicles to fight state wildfires.
More than $26.5 million will be invested into Georgia’s Colonel’s Island Rail Improvements Project in Brunswick, Georgia, which will create “new opportunities to move automotive shipments by rail instead of truck.”
The FRA will also partner with Amtrak with an investment of more than $14 million to implement apprenticeship training programs “to build a skilled mechanical craft workforce for Amtrak to maintain its fleet of equipment.”
The DOT and FRA have also taken “unprecedented actions” to increase railroad safety regulations that will include audits and safety programs.
“Each project advances a future where our supply chains are stronger, passenger rail more accessible, and freight movement safer and more efficient,” Buttigieg said.
