Nationwide Railway Upgrade: This funding will enhance rail safety, reliability, and resilience across the nation, providing tangible benefits to communities with railroads and strengthening supply chains for the entire country, said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
The money will support 70 projects in 35 states and Washington DC, addressing concerns about railroad safety. The focus on rail safety increased after a train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed and caught fire in Ohio earlier this year. President Joe Biden has called for accountability for the crash, but proposed rail safety reforms are pending in the Senate.
The projects cover track upgrades, bridge repairs, improved connectivity among railways, and measures to make routes less susceptible to extreme weather. Among the initiatives is $178.4 million to restore passenger service in parts of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi along the Gulf of Mexico, a service disrupted since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
This is a significant milestone, representing years of dedicated efforts to reconnect our communities after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, said Senator Roger Wicker. The grant aims to bring back passenger service to the Gulf Coast after Amtrak reached an agreement with CSX and Norfolk Southern railroads last year to resume passenger trains on the freight railroads’ tracks.
The Palouse River & Coulee City Railroad in Washington state will receive $72.8 million to upgrade tracks and infrastructure. In Kentucky, $29.5 million will go to improving 280 miles of track along the Paducah and Louisville Railway. Tennessee will receive $23.7 million to upgrade about 42 bridges on 10 different short-line railroads.
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Our Reader’s Queries
Did President Biden announce $16.4 billion in funding for passenger rail projects?
In the previous month, FRA revealed a hefty $16.4 billion investment for 25 passenger rail projects on the Northeast Corridor (NEC), which is known as the busiest rail corridor in the nation. The NEC stretches from Boston, Massachusetts to Washington, D.C., and plays a crucial role in supporting 800,000 trips per day. This corridor covers a region that accounts for 20% of U.S. Gross Domestic Product.
How much would a nationwide high-speed rail cost?
The projected cost for the design and construction of the line is estimated at $151 billion, with a predicted timeline of over 25 years. Once completed, the proposed rail line will be capable of reaching impressive speeds of 220 mph (350 km/h).
How did railroads transform the American economy?
The railroad cleared the path for Westward expansion, created fresh economic prospects, spurred the growth of towns and communities, and interconnected the nation.
What is the railway network expansion?
The Indian Government is taking steps to improve its old railway infrastructure and improve its service. The Railway Ministry plans to invest ?5,400,000 crore (equivalent to ?57 trillion or US$720 billion in 2023) to upgrade the railways by 2030.