More than $272m has been granted by the US Department of Transportation agency Federal Railroad Administration to to upgrade the railroad infrastructure.
The funding will be allocated to rail projects in ten US states and will be provided through the agency’s Federal-State partnership for State of Good Repair Program ( SOGR Program).
US Transportation Secretary Elaine L Chao stated that this Administration is committed to investing in the enhancement and safe operation of our country’s passenger rail networks.
$17m will be received by the A-32 Bridge Replacement Project in Illinois will receive $17m, the South Station Expansion Tower 1 Early Action Project in Massachusetts will be provided with $41m, and Kalamazoo-Dearborn State of Good Repair Projects in Michigan will get $23m.
Also the Piedmont Intercity Fleet and Infrastructure Investments Project in North Carolina will receive $76m, Newark Penn Station Platform D improvement works in New Jersey will get $18m, and Washington State Passenger Rail Car Replacement Project will be given $37m.
The states of Lousiana, Pennsylvania, Rhode island and Wisconsin will be receiving federal grants for their projects.
According to FRA Administrator Ronald L Batory, the funding will make a significant contribution to freight and passenger rail-related capital projects in their communities, help their nation’s rail infrastructure to be brought into a state of good repair and ultimately make a big difference in people’s lives.
The intercity rail performance will be improved by the SOGR Program, it will refurbish or repair the infrastructure.
Funding is allotted for upgrading rail infrastructure such as track, switches, bridges and highway-rail grade crossings, modernizing stations, and procuring or overhauling equipment.
The FRA had earlier awarded around $326m for 45 railroad infrastructure projects across 29 states.
Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program and the Special Transportation Circumstances Program provided the funding.
