EDA provides $1.6 million grant to upgrade portion of Madison Railroad line

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) recently awarded a $1.6 million grant to the city of Madison, Ind., to help fund rail infrastructure upgrades.

Grant proceeds will be used to replace 4.7 miles of a Madison Railroad line, primarily by replacing 70-pound rail with 115-pound rail. The 70-pound track can't accommodate heavier rail cars, which has caused pricing issues and inhibited some receivers from obtaining products, EDA officials said in a press release.
 
Meese Orbitron Dunne, a plastics design and manufacturing company in Madison, will be able to expand its product line because of the project, they said. The manufacturer depends on rail service to distribute its products and materials, and already has invested $6 million for an expansion.

"The EDA grant will help Madison make railroad infrastructure upgrades necessary to both grow local businesses and attract new business to the region," said U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Ptitzker.