“These investments in intercity passenger and freight rail will benefit surrounding communities, make grade crossings safer and improve service reliability,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.
The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act authorized the CRISI Program, which funds a wide range of projects that improve the safety, efficiency and reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail systems. Over one-third of the funds — more than $118 million — were awarded to rural projects.
“These are the partnerships that help rural and urban communities thrive economically,” said FRA Administrator Ronald Batory. “The participation of multiple partners demonstrates the importance of these funds and tells us they will be a key asset in improving safety for communities and railroads around the country.”
As part of the $326 million announced today, FRA is announcing more than $2 million in Special Transportation Circumstances grant funds to the state of Alaska. These are also authorized by the FAST Act.
A full list of project recipients is online.
— A Federal Railroad Administration news release. June 12, 2019.
The Milwaukee Airport Depot installation of a second platform & upgrade of signaling to allow trains to operate closer to track speed. Not sure how they will achieve that. CP trains coming upgrade from the Menomenee Valley are usually in notch 8 passing the Airport Depot. And now with longer PSA trains, many times they are crawling. Going downhill passing the Airport Depot they are in full dynamics. Gaining speed or controling speed is the issue for freights. On the other hand the Amtrak Hiawatha’s usually don’t have an issue with their short trains.
I see that one of the grants is for rehabilitation of 52 miles of CSX A-Line track between Palatka and DeLand stations in Florida, after which track ownership will be transferred to Amtrak. Anyone have further details?