WisDOT awards $4.8M in loans to fund freight-rail projects

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) this week announced $4.8 million in Freight Railroad Infrastructure Improvement Program (FRIIP) loans to fund freight-rail upgrades in Luxemburg, Reedsburg and Wrightstown.

The loans will help pay for agricultural facility equipment, construct new storage at a transload terminal and install a new industry track. FRIIP loans fund rail projects that connect an industry to the national railroad system; make improvements to enhance transportation efficiency, safety and intermodal freight movement; accomplish line rehabilitation; and develop the economy, state officials said in a press release.

Recipients of the FRIIP loans are:

• Rio Creek Feed Mill, awarded $1.5 million to help fund the construction of a 1.339-million-bushel grain bin and a support tower, as well as loading equipment and unloading equipment at its facility in Luxemburg. The Fox Valley & Lake Superior Rail System serves Rio Creek Feed Mill;
• Riffey Transload, awarded $825,267 to help fund the construction of a new trackside storage building at its transload terminal in Reedsburg. Wisconsin & Southern Railroad serves Riffey Transload; and
• The village of Wrightstown, awarded $2,433,882 to construct 4,172 feet of industry track to extend an existing village-owned industry lead to Drexel Building Supply and enable Drexel Building Supply to shift shipping of lumber to the facility from truck to rail. CN serves businesses located on the village’s industry lead.

“Wisconsin’s prosperity and competitiveness depend on a safe, efficient and reliable transportation system,” said WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson. “When we support freight rail, we are directly supporting the people and businesses of our communities.”