New Jersey DOT awards $29 million in freight-rail grants

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy's administration yesterday announced the award of 10 grants worth a combined $29 million through the state's fiscal-year 2021 Rail Freight Assistance Program.

Located in 11 counties, the 10 projects receiving grants include upgrading and repairing existing tracks with steel ties, installing new or upgraded switches, constructing a new drawbridge, and repairing or upgrading existing bridges and grade crossings.

The $29 million in state grants will leverage an additional $23 million from railroad owners and operators, bringing the total investment in the projects to more than $52 million, New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials said in a press release.

A list of the 10 projects is available here.

"The Murphy administration's targeted investments in New Jersey's rail transportation network will strengthen our economy and ensure the safe and efficient movement of goods," said NJDOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti. "The projects funded through the Rail Freight Assistance program provide critical upgrades to our transportation infrastructure."

The grant program typically provides funding for 70% to 90% of a project's estimated cost.