New York, Illinois senators announce federal PTC funding for several roads

Politicians in New York and Illinois are the latest policymakers to announce the award of federal funding for positive train control (PTC) implementation projects at several freight and passenger railroads.

Yesterday, U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded a $1.2 million grant to the Middletown & New Jersey Railroad for PTC installation.

The funding was allocated through the department's fiscal-year 2018 PTC grants under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements program, according to a joint press release from the senators.

"This federal investment will accelerate the installation of life-saving positive train control … to prevent dangerous and destructive derailments and crashes," Schumer said.

Meanwhile, the USDOT has awarded more than $33 million for the implementation of PTC systems on three Chicago-area railroads, including Metra.

Metra will receive $22,983,308; Chicago Rail Link LLC, $1,640925; and the Belt Railway Co. of Chicago, $8.6 million, according to a joint press release issued by U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.).

On Monday, Congress members representing New Mexico announced the award of $30 million in federal funds to implement PTC along the New Mexico Rail Runner's network.