CTDOT Announces $20MM in Rail Freight Infrastructure Grants
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
CTDOT
NEWINGTON, Conn. - The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced $20 million in infrastructure grants.
The grants come through the Rail Freight Infrastructure Program which seeks to support projects that enhance safety, expand capacity, and strengthen reliability, CTDOT said in a press release. In addition to the $20 million, it is supplemented by $4 million in private railroad investment. Authorization of the Rail Freight Infrastructure Program funding is based on Connecticut General State §13b-236. The six grants awarded through the program are as follows:
Connecticut Southern Railroad (CSO)
$4,463,668 will go toward structural repairs to the Connecticut River Freight Bridge. The railroad will also replace four grade crossing surfaces in East Hartford, replace worn turnouts and rail in Hatford Yard, and replace rail in Wethersfield.
Housatonic Railroad Company (HRRC)
$2,646,382 will go toward replacing two grade crossing surfaces in New Milford. Additionally, crews will replace ties along the corridor as well as complete ballast and surfacing work. CTDOT says this will enhance the overall state of good repair of the line and reduce derailment risk.
Naugatuck Railroad (NAUG)
$4,571,673.30 will go toward replacing four grade crossing surfaces in Torrington and upgrading two crossing signals. Elsewhere, crews will replace rail, install ties and switch ties, and reportedly construct a new customer turnout and a public track turnout. Additionally, funds will go toward adding new car storage track and replacing bridge ties.
New England Central Railroad (NECR)
$1,563,689 will go toward grade crossing improvements in Franklin and Windham. Crews will also relocate signal infrastructure, replace rail, and make bridge tie and structural bridge repairs.
Providence and Worcester Railroad (P&W)
$4,911,520 has been earmarked for replacing rail on the Wethersfield Secondary to a low for the accommodation of 286,000 pound freight cars. With this, shippers can move more freight per railcar. Crews will also replace four grade crossing surfaces in Wethersfield, replace ties, and switch ties with ballast and surfacing.
Pan Am Southern (PAS)
$1,853,047 will go toward rail replacement work, bridge tie work, improvements to turnouts, and crossing warning device upgrades. CTDOT says these upgrades will improve long-term performance of the corridor.
“Improving the state’s freight rail infrastructure is a critical component of strengthening Connecticut’s economy. Investments in freight rail make the supply chain more resilient, create jobs, and establish a strong system for future commerce,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “These improvements will allow more freight to be moved safely and more quickly, while reducing highway congestion and air pollution. I look forward to the continued partnership with the freight railroads as we keep the state’s and region’s economy moving forward.”
