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Nebraska Rail Security Will get a Large Enhance as Federal Railroad Administration Launches a $67.9 Million Initiative to Remove Dangers and Delays: New Updates You Want To Know
Saturday, January 11, 2025
The U.S. Division of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has allotted $67.9 million in funding by way of the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program to assist three key rail initiatives in Nebraska.
This funding is a part of a broader $1.1 billion initiative to reinforce security and handle over 1,000 highway-rail crossings throughout the US, marking the most important single contribution to grade crossing security in FRA’s historical past. When mixed with earlier investments from the Biden-Harris Administration, the FRA has dedicated $48.5 billion to rail initiatives throughout the nation, together with vital enhancements to Amtrak’s infrastructure.
The brand new funding will concentrate on very important upgrades, such because the creation of overpasses and underpasses, alongside different security enhancements designed to enhance situations for motorists, pedestrians, and railway personnel.
The precise initiatives funded below the Fiscal 12 months 2023-2024 Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program embody:
Grand Island Rail Crossing Overview – as much as $600,000This initiative, earmarked for Venture Planning, will conduct an analysis of 17 rail crossings in Grand Island. The aim is to develop a complete Hall Enchancment Plan with suggestions for crossing closures, grade separations, and security measures that can handle delays and enhance emergency response occasions attributable to frequent prepare exercise. The Metropolis of Grand Island and BNSF will match 20% of the funding.
Lincoln at thirty third and Cornhusker Viaduct – as much as $66,706,880Chosen for Last Design, land acquisition, and development, this initiative will construct a brand new bridge over the rail hall, eradicating two at-grade crossings at N. thirty third and Adams streets in Lincoln. Native authorities, together with BNSF and the Railroad Transportation Security District, will contribute 20% of the funding.
Omaha to Lincoln Rail Crossing Evaluation – as much as $600,000This planning challenge will consider 73 at-grade crossings alongside 64.5 miles of BNSF observe in Nebraska. The analysis will concentrate on bettering security by way of closures, putting in energetic warning techniques, realigning crossings, and including new highway connections.
These initiatives purpose to scale back the danger of accidents at grade crossings and get rid of harmful blockages, which trigger disruptions for drivers and emergency providers. Grade crossings are liable for the second-highest variety of rail-related fatalities within the U.S., with greater than 2,000 incidents and over 200 deaths every year. As well as, blocked crossings contribute to delays, affecting each commuters and first responders. Prior to now yr alone, the FRA acquired over 26,000 complaints relating to blocked crossings by way of its Public Blocked Crossing Incident Reporter.
