WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration introduced Monday that it has awarded greater than $1.4 billion to initiatives that enhance railway security and enhance capability, with a lot of the cash coming from the 2021 infrastructure legislation.
“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,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated in an announcement.
The cash is funding 70 initiatives in 35 states and Washington, D.C. Railroad security has turn out to be a key concern nationwide ever since a prepare carrying hazardous chemical compounds derailed and caught fireplace in East Palestine, Ohio, in February. President Joe Biden has ordered federal companies to carry the prepare’s operator Norfolk Southern accountable for the crash, however a bundle of proposed rail security reforms has stalled within the Senate the place the invoice remains to be awaiting a vote. The White House can also be saying {that a} attainable authorities shutdown due to House Republicans would undermine railway security.
The initiatives embrace observe upgrades and bridge repairs, along with bettering the connectivity amongst railways and making routes much less weak to excessive climate.
Among the initiatives is $178.4 million to revive passenger service in elements of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi alongside the Gulf of Mexico for the primary time since Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005.
“This is a significant milestone, representing years of dedicated efforts to reconnect our communities after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina,” Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., stated in an announcement. “Restoring passenger rail service will create jobs, improve quality of life, and offer a convenient travel option for tourists, contributing to our region’s economic growth and vitality.”
The grant ought to make it attainable to revive passenger service to the Gulf Coast after Amtrak reached an settlement with CSX and Norfolk Southern railroads final yr to clear the best way for passenger trains to renew working on the tracks the freight railroads personal.
“We’ve been fighting to return passenger trains to the Gulf Coast since it was knocked offline by Hurricane Katrina. That 17-year journey has been filled with obstacles and frustration — but also moments of joy, where local champions and national advocates were able to come together around the vision of a more connected Gulf Coast region,” Rail Passengers Association President & CEO Jim Mathews stated.
In one of many greatest different grants, the Palouse River & Coulee City Railroad in Washington state will get $72.8 million to improve the observe and associated infrastructure to permit that rail line to deal with trendy 286,000-pound railcars.
A undertaking in Kentucky will obtain $29.5 million to make enhancements to 280 miles of observe and different infrastructure alongside the Paducah and Louisville Railway.
And in Tennessee, $23.7 million will go to serving to improve about 42 bridges on 10 totally different short-line railroads.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”