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9/2/2020
The Delmarva Central Railroad Co. (DCR) will use an $18.8 million federal grant to upgrade its near century-old infrastructure, including three large moving rail bridges, federal and Delaware state officials announced last week.
The federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement Program (CRISI) grant will be used along with $29.4 million from DCR to upgrade the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal, Nanticoke River and the Pocomoke River Cassatt bridges, according to a press release issued by U.S. Sen. Chris Coons' office.
The Nanticoke and Pocomoke bridges were built in the 1890s. The CRISI and DCR funds also will be used to upgrade public grade crossings and the railroad's mainline.
Coons, U.S. Sen. Tom Carper and U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (all D-Del.) wrote to U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao last year to encourage her department's support for the DCR's grant application.
"Improving these bridges supports a critical flow of freight on the Delmarva Peninsula, connecting many rural areas in southern Delaware, Maryland and the eastern shore of Virginia to the national rail network, supporting major industries and regional employers," they wrote.
Additionally, the Chesapeake & Delaware bridge is a "vital transportation link" for the ports of Baltimore, Wilmington and Philadelphia.
"Should the bridge ever be stuck in a lowered position, it would create a chaotic logistical situation for Baltimore and the ships that would have to add days of sailing to their trip around the Delmarva," the letter stated.