Sept. 25 (UPI) — As part of President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Biden administration has allocated $1.4 billion for various railway safety improvement projects and addressing the country’s deteriorating rail infrastructure.
The Federal Department of Transportation stated that this funding, which supports 70 projects across 35 states, is the largest federal investment ever made in rail safety upgrades.
The majority of the funding will be directed to rural communities to repair crumbling rail infrastructure and enhance the national supply chain.
The improvement projects will include track enhancements, bridge restorations, upgrades to rail crossings, and the development of safer methods for transporting hazardous materials.
This initiative is a part of the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements program, a joint effort by the Federal Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration to address a range of safety issues that have led to recent rail disasters.
Amtrak will receive over $178.4 million in federal funds to conclude the Gulf Coast Corridor Improvement Project, which aims to restore passenger service in parts of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi that have not fully recovered since the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina nearly two decades ago.
This investment will result in the addition of two new daily round trips between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, and will facilitate increased shipping capacity for freight companies such as CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern, leading to enhanced connectivity and reduced shipping costs and emissions, while also creating new job opportunities for the nation.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated, “Under President Biden’s leadership, we are making historic investments in rail, which means fewer accidents and delays, faster travel times, and lower shipping costs for the American people. These projects will make American rail safer, more reliable, and more resilient, delivering tangible benefits to dozens of communities where railroads are located and strengthening supply chains for the entire country.”
These efforts coincide with the ongoing investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board into a toxic train derailment that occurred in East Palestine, Ohio in early February.
While investigations continue, railway improvements are being implemented in various parts of the country:
– Over $72.8 million is being allocated in Washington state for track improvements, grade crossings, and other equipment upgrades on the Palouse River & Coulee City Railroad.
– Tennessee is utilizing over $23.7 million to upgrade around 42 bridges across 10 railroads in need of immediate repairs.
– Kentucky will receive $29.5 million to rehabilitate 280 miles of track between Paducah and Louisville, including track upgrades, bridge repairs, and locomotive restorations.
– Nebraska is granted $15.2 million to modernize the Cornhusker Railroad line, including renovations to grade crossings and peripheral facilities.
– Maryland has been allocated more than $11.5 million to introduce zero-exhaust emissions locomotives at the Port of Baltimore.
– Ohio will receive over $16.2 million in federal funding to address bridge and track issues along 180 miles of the Kanawha River Railroad.
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