Transportation Secretary Announces $17 Million for Rail Projects Across the U.S.
March 2, 2012
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that twelve cities and states will share $16.9 million to relocate, replace, and improve segments of railroad track under the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA)'s Rail Line Relocation and Improvement competitive grant program.
The FRA received more than $67 million in state and local government requests for these funds, which will be used to enhance safety, livability, and economic development in American communities.
"The overwhelming number of applications we received for this program shows that state and local officials recognize the economic boost that comes with improving transportation infrastructure," said Secretary LaHood. "These investments will help advance President Obama's vision of an 'America Built to Last' by putting people back to work on transportation projects while creating livable communities and stimulating economic growth."
FRA's rail line relocation competitive grant program funds projects that reduce the adverse effects of rail infrastructure on safety, motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic, community quality of life, or economic development. Funding for these grants is made available through annual appropriations and requires a 10 percent contribution from the project sponsor. Rail line relocation dollars will fund the following Region V projects:
Indiana - Indiana DOT - Daviess County-Elnora Siding - $1,608,029 to construct a new siding in Elnora to improve freight capacity and efficiency by eliminating a bottleneck that prevents northbound and southbound trains from passing each other. The project will also allow the Indiana Southern Railroad to relocate its switching and staging operations to the new siding.
Indiana - City of Indianapolis - Indianapolis Downtown Rail Relocation - $896,949 to complete preliminary engineering and environmental analysis for the relocation of freight traffic from downtown Indianapolis to the nearby Belt Railroad. Ultimately, separating freight and passenger rail service will improve the safety and efficiency of current operations.
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