Work to begin on Appalachian Regional Short-Line Rail Project
Written by jrood
Work can begin on the Appalachian Regional Short-Line Rail project with the signing of a $12.9-million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said. The signing took place between the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
The project will improve
infrastructure on five shortline railroads running through Kentucky, West
Virginia and Tennessee, benefiting several economically distressed counties.
"The Recovery Act is
helping to create jobs, reinvigorate the economy and build a world-class
transportation network that will allow businesses to grow, which is
particularly important in hard-hit areas," said Secretary LaHood.
The project will
rehabilitate hundreds of miles of track on five unconnected shortline railroads
in the three states and includes grade crossing, bridge and tunnel
improvements. Once complete, the improvements will speed up delivery time,
allowing goods to reach their markets more quickly and at less cost.
"This project is
about increasing efficiency to boost economic competitiveness and making it
easier for businesses to ship their products," said Federal Highway
Administrator Victor Mendez. "It’s also about making better use of all transportation
modes through targeted investment."
The project is expected
to encourage shippers to shift the transport of hazardous commodities and
chemicals from truck to rail, increasing safety and reducing fuel consumption
and emissions.
"TIGER grants have been
reserved for projects that help achieve the Department’s strategic transportation
goals," said Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo. "They also embody the
best aspects of public-private partnerships that yield positive benefits for
all stakeholders."
Tennessee also is
receiving $2.8 million and West Virginia $1.7 million, bringing to $17.5
million the total grant for this project.
The $17.5-million grant was
awarded under the Recovery Act’s TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating
Economic Recovery) program.
