Alaska, Wyoming rail projects awarded $1.26 million in federal grants

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) this week announced $1.26 million for Special Transportation Circumstances (STC) grants to help fund rail capital projects in Alaska and Wyoming.

The funding was made available by 2017 appropriations legislation for the terminal wireless communications positive train control project in Alaska and the Greater Junction Railroad rehabilitation project in Wyoming, according to an FRA press release.

The STC grants provide funding from the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements and Restoration and Enhancement programs. Under the 2017 legislation, Alaska will receive $277,400 and Wyoming will receive $985,500 for rail capital projects.

"The funding will go a long way to addressing freight and passenger rail-related capital project needs in rural communities," said FRA Administrator Ronald Batory.

In addition, $978,200 was set aside for South Dakota, but it did not submit an application for funding. The funds remain available if the state decides to apply under a future federal funding opportunity, FRA officials said.

The federal share of funding under the STC grants must not exceed 80 percent of a project's cost. The nonfederal share may be made up of public or private sector funding or both.