INFRA grants announced for rail projects in three states

Federal lawmakers from three states this week announced a combined $76.8 million in grants have been awarded to rail and port projects through the U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Infrastructure For Rebuilding America (INFRA) program.

In Georgia, U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) announced that the Georgia Ports Authority, in partnership with Norfolk Southern Railway, has been awarded a $46.8 million grant to support the construction of the Northeast Georgia Inland Port along the Interstate-85/I-985 corridor in Hall County.

The new inland port will link the area directly to the Port of Savannah via NS. The rail terminal will open with 9,000 feet of working track, expanding to 18,000 feet at full build-out. With a top capacity of 150,000 container lifts per year, the facility will offset 600 roundtrip highway miles for every container moved by rail, according to the project website.

Meanwhile, in South Carolina, U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) announced a $25 million INFRA grant will be awarded to the South Carolina Department of Commerce Division Of Public Railways. The funds will be used to help cover the cost of construction for Palmetto Railways' 22.7-mile rail line that will connect the Camp Hall Commerce Park and Volvo Cars manufacturing plant in Berkeley County to the Class I network.

The Camp Hall Commerce Park is located within a designated opportunity zone and is home to a $1.1 billion Volvo Cars manufacturing facility that ships finished vehicles to domestic markets on existing rail infrastructure, according to a press release issued by the senators.

The project will also eliminate the need to transport automobiles via truck on I-26, transitioning from highway to rail transportation to relieve congestion and reduce the incidence of accidents and wear-and-tear along the interstate, Graham and Scott said.

And in Iowa, U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) announced a $5 million INFRA grant will be awarded to upgrade the Gavilon Marine Port and Rail Facility at Dove Harbor Terminal at the Port of Dubuque.

That project calls for rail and portside improvements, including replacing and upgrading 7,300 feet of inoperable track; relocating 2,800 feet of track to support the direct transfer and transload of fertilizer and other bulk products from river barge to rail; and installing a new mainline switch, loadout system, shed and rail-to-barge direct transfer system.