WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced grants to three cities in the Twin Cities Metro Area to make upgrades to rail-pathways that focus on improving the safety and mobility of travelers and goods.
“Blocked rail crossings not only inconvenience drivers, but also delay emergency vehicles and threaten public safety,” said Klobuchar.“This federal investment will reduce traffic, boost efficiency and improve rail crossing safety. Investments in our infrastructure serve as a down payment on the long-term economic well-being of our state.”
“Revitalizing our infrastructure is about more than just fixing railways or roads; it’s about improving people’s lives, which is precisely what this project will do,” said Senator Smith. “These rail-pathways help connect families and businesses across the metro area and are critical for shipping and commerce in Minnesota. Investing in projects like these not only makes our roads and railways safer but helps support local economies across the state.”
Three cities received grants:
- The City of Anoka will use a $2.5 million grant to develop a plan for improved rail crossings along a freight line through the city. The city aims to separate rail and vehicle traffic, which will improve safety and the efficiency of freight and passenger rail services, including Amtrak’s Empire Builder and Metro Transit’s North Star Line.
- The City of Minneapolis will use a $2 million grant to evaluate potential improvements at three crossings in Minneapolis. These crossings are frequently blocked for vehicles by freight rail traffic, and the city will consider the best way to prevent disruptions to all traffic and improve safety.
- The Port Authority of the City of Saint Paul will use $636,000 in federal funding to determine the best way to address a highway and railroad intersection on Barge Channel Road. This at-grade crossing is in an important area of commerce along the Mississippi River, and an upgraded crossing would allow for easier travel for freight and passenger vehicles.
This investment is made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which both Klobuchar and Smith supported and worked to pass. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law authorized the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Rail Crossing Elimination Grant Program (RCE), which provides funding for highway-rail and pathway-rail grade crossing improvement projects that improve the safety and mobility of people and goods.
Klobuchar and Smith have both cosponsored the bipartisan Railway Safety Act. This legislation will make key updates to improve rail safety protocols, including increasing inspections on trains that carry hazardous materials, requiring rail carriers to have emergency response plans, and increasing penalties for rail companies when crashes happen.
###
English