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BNSF Railway Co., Union Pacific Railroad and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) are trying to secure a National Infrastructure Investments (TIGER II) discretionary grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to improve Tower 55 in Fort Worth, Texas. A TxDOT organized selection committee has rated the proposed project as the highest-priority TIGER II project in Texas, according to BNSF.

UP and BNSF rely heavily on Tower 55 — one of the nation’s busiest rail intersections — to move freight throughout the Southwest. More than 100 trains use Tower 55 daily.

BNSF, UP and TxDOT plan to improve the intersection to ease congestion. Work would include adding track north, south and through Tower 55 on BNSF and UP lines; improving quadrant connections; building and upgrading bridges; closing grade crossings; enhancing signals (which would be compatible with positive train control); and constructing two grade-separated pedestrian crossings.

In addition to federal dollars, the project would be funded by monies from BNSF, UP and the North Central Texas Council of Governments.

The USDOT plans to award $600 million in TIGER II grants. Applications are due Aug. 23 and awards are expected to be announced in mid-September.