Funding for rail upgrades should keep railroads on track between Sedalia and Lee’s Summit
Posted by GSDispatch Editor in GSD Online, source: SEDALIA DEMOCRAT
The $31 million Missouri received in federal grant funding for railroad upgrades should prepare the state’s rail system for the future and employ nearly 200 people, Missouri Department of Transportation officials said.
President Barack Obama announced last week the state would receive $31 million for upgrading the rail system between Kansas City and St. Louis as part of an $8 billion investment to aid 13 rail corridors in 31 states. Illinois also received about $1.1 billion to develop a high-speed rail line between Chicago and St. Louis.
Rod Massman, administrator of railroads for MoDOT, said the $31 million for rail upgrades in Missouri should support about 190 jobs, improve performance on state railroads and pave the way for a high-speed line across the state in the coming years.
The $31 million in grant funding will be used to complete three immediate projects, including a bridge that will create a second rail line across the Osage River in mid-Missouri, a crossover in Kirkwood and several crossing upgrades on the line between Sedalia and Lee’s Summit designed to improve safety.
“That section between Sedalia and Lee’s Summit has the greatest concentration of crossings without lights and gates,” Massman said. “These safety improvements are important if we are eventually going to increase the speed of trains.” …
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