Indiana rail projects awarded nearly $40 million in federal funding – InkFreeNews.com

News release

INDIANA — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration has announced more than $2.4 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Act funding for 122 rail improvement projects in 41 states, and Washington, D.C., Indiana will distribute nearly $40 million among various rail projects.

These projects will make rail safer, more reliable and more sustainable by getting freight and people to where they need to be faster, with fewer disruptions, lower shipping costs and less pollution. The announced grants, which are being implemented through FRA’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement Program, benefit every region of the country, especially rural communities.

Indiana projects include:

Chicago, Ft Wayne & Eastern Railroad Supply Chain Equipment Project – up to $21,485,750

• The proposed project was selected for construction and includes the acquisition of a 26-car continuous welded rail train and 75 ballast cars to support the Chicago, Fort Wayne and Eastern Railroad. The acquisition will directly address the shortage of CWR trains and ballast cars, which are needed for further infrastructure investment. The project meets the selection criteria of improving safety by directly supporting the state of good repair of railway infrastructure, as the CWR train and ballast cars are essential equipment required to safely and efficiently deliver essential materials for track rehabilitation and upgrade projects. The Chicago, Ft. Wayne & Eastern Railroad and Indiana DOT will contribute 35% of the non-federal match.

Madison Rail Gateway to the National Rail Network – North Muscatatuck River Bridge Replacement – up to $5,431,083

• The proposed project was selected for final design and construction and includes the replacement of the 130-year-old bridge over the North Muscatatuck River on the Madison Railroad in Vernon. The project is consistent with the selection criteria, enhancing safety and improving the performance of the system and services, as the project will address a critical vulnerability, increase the capacity of the bridge and remove the last persistent slow order on the railway. Madison Railroad will contribute 20% of the non-federal match. This project meets the requirements of the legislative reserve for projects in rural areas.

Capital Avenue Rail Corridor Expansion Project in St. Joseph County — up to $772,800

• The proposed project was selected for project development and includes the extension of the existing Patriot Rail Elkhart and Western Railroa to connect with the Canadian National Railway Chicago-Toronto. The project meets the selection criteria by expanding economic opportunities for rail freight, benefiting Elkhart and Western Railroad customers with two Class I connections. St. Joseph County and EWR will contribute a 20% non-federal match. The project meets the requirements of the legislative reserve for projects in rural areas.

Louisville & Indiana Railroad Clagg Bridge Lift Span Project – up to $6,492,000

• The proposed project was selected for design development, final design and construction and includes improvements to the Clagg lift span of the Fourteenth Street Bridge, which connects Louisville, Kentucky, and Clarksville. The project meets the selection criteria by enhancing safety because the project will support efficient multimodal freight transportation across the Ohio River. The Louisville and Indiana Railroad will contribute 50% of the non-federal match.

Development and testing of a full-scale low-effort friction welding machine for continuous rail welding – up to $4,620,559

• The proposed project was selected for research and development and includes the design and manufacture of a full-scale rail jointing machine to perform low-effort friction welding of rails. The project meets the selection criteria for increased safety and durability, as a new rail welding process capable of welding full sections on 136-pound rails will reduce the cost of installing continuous welded rails. University of Notre Dame and Manufacturing Technology, Inc. will contribute 22% of the non-federal match.

The projects in this selection round reflect a wide range of rail safety improvements and service improvements that meet the requirements of this program, such as upgrading tracks, replacing or rehabilitating old bridges, expanding rail connections at ports, adding modern locomotives to fleets, and more. The CRISI program is also the only federal grant program that prioritizes small, short-haul railroads vital to the American economy and regional supply chains.

The announcement is part of a series of investments the Biden-Harris administration has made in nearly 300 rail projects and dozens of new passenger rail corridors across the country through FRA grant programs funded by bipartisan infrastructure legislation. It is the largest investment in an American railroad in more than 50 years.

“Today’s investment in our rail systems reflects the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to building a stronger, safer and more sustainable transportation network,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Through bipartisan infrastructure legislation, we’re funding rail infrastructure projects that create jobs and advance workforce development, lower costs for consumers and directly benefit communities across the country. Each project advances a future where our supply chains are stronger, passenger rail is more accessible, and freight is safer and more efficient.”

While most CRISI grants directly improve rail infrastructure, CRISI investments also support the railroad workforce and invest in hard-working Americans who will help maintain and operate the nation’s rail networks into the future.

Federal funding will create new apprenticeship programs, expand learning opportunities, build partnerships with universities and promote innovative research. For example, one grant awarded to the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalers will help develop an effective strategy for integrating roadside hot box detectors to improve safety and prevent derailments caused by wheel and bearing failures.

“Under the Biden-Harris administration and through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, FRA is investing more than ever in communities across the country, reducing half a century of federal underinvestment in America’s rail network and delivering the world-class rail our citizens deserve,” they said. in FRA. Administrator Amit Bose. “Today’s CRISI grants will improve rail safety, improve city and port connectivity, introduce greener locomotives, support the current rail workforce and provide workforce development opportunities needed for the future of our industry and the national economy.”