Great Lakes Wire

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded Manistee County a $424,000 federal grant for planning needed in order to relocate approximately 3.5 miles of railroad tracks around Lake Manistee to eliminate three water crossings over aging bridges. The funding is made available through the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Program, which was established through the bipartisan infrastructure law the Senators helped enact.

“Investing in updates to our rail system is critical for local communities, the safety of passengers and workers, the environment, and the efficient transportation of goods,” said Senator Peters. “This funding will help pave the way for the re-routing of train tracks in Manistee County that will allow rail cars to avoid traveling over aging and potentially unsafe bridges.”   

“Having safe and reliable rail transportation is essential for our state’s economy. Relocating this stretch of railroad tracks will improve safety for workers and residents along the rail line and prevent delays of critical resources for Northern Michigan communities,” said Senator Stabenow.

“We appreciate the leadership of Senators Peters and Stabenow for providing support for Manistee County to successfully obtain the funding,” said Jeffrey Dontz, County Board of Commissioner’s Chairperson.   

More information on the Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Program can be found at https://www.transportation.gov/rural/grant-toolkit/railroad-crossing-elimination-rce-grant-program .

Original source can be found here