The Rainier Rail company will receive $1.7 million in federal funds to improve four bridges in Western Washington, including the Minnesota St. Bridge in Rainier, according to a joint announcement from U.S. Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell.
On Friday, Washington’s senators announced the funds are part of more than $115 million in infrastructure upgrades awarded to improve the state’s railroad system.
“Rainier Rail provides important transportation connections for goods including aircraft materials and animal feed moving through western Washington,” Cantwell said in a statement. “This project will improve their track capacity and replace aging rail ties to ensure they can continue serving customers in our state.”
The grants were awarded through the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program. During negotiations for the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Cantwell secured $5 billion in funding over five years for the CRISI program.
The U.S. Department of Transportation will provide $2.477 billion in CRISI grants to 122 projects this year.
As Senate Appropriations Chair, Murray drafts the annual appropriations bills. Murray also secured $2.97 billion for the FRA in the fiscal year 2024 government funding bill and set aside $100 million for CRISI grants.
“This investment will help modernize existing infrastructure so that Rainier Rail can accommodate more freight, getting more goods to where they need to go more quickly,” Murray said. “This is the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at work — strengthening supply chains and upgrading our infrastructure so that America can compete and win the 21st century.”
