Florida Gulf and Atlantic Receives Major Federal Grant
Written by David C. Lester, Editor-in-Chief
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has announced that Florida Gulf and Atlantic Railroad, LLC (FGA) will be a recipient of up to $23.2 million from the federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) grant awards for FGA’s $31.1M Florida Panhandle Rail Resiliency and Connectivity Project.
As a grant recipient, FGA is committed to providing a 30 percent non-Federal match for the project, which involves track improvements, strengthening and reinforcing the right-of-way along the Escambia Bay and upgrades to several bridges along a 100-mile stretch of FGA’s main rail line in Florida’s Panhandle. The improvements will improve resiliency, expand operating capacity and increase safety in an area vulnerable to hurricanes and other severe weather events.
“Much like others, this railroad is the economic lifeblood of cities and towns throughout the Florida Panhandle,” said Gulf & Atlantic Railways Chief Executive Officer Ryan Ratledge. “Paired with our matching funds, this federal grant will go a long way toward enhancing this corridor’s vitality, improving its safety and fostering the revitalization of the communities it serves.”
Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., Gulf & Atlantic Railways, LLC (www.garailways.com) owns five short line/regional railroads – Florida Gulf & Atlantic Railroad (FGA), Grenada Railroad (GRYR), Camp Chase Railway (CAMY), Chesapeake & Indiana Railroad (CKIN), and Vermilion Valley Railroad (VVRR).
