Federal Grants Fund Illinois, Indiana Rail Upgrades

Federal grants are funding rail improvements across Indiana and southern Illinois. Rep. Mike Bost announced $25.1 million for Evansville Western Railway to upgrade about 124.5 miles of track between Evansville, Indiana, and Okawville, Illinois, including replacing rails and ties, installing equipment-failure detectors, building a locomotive maintenance facility and rehabilitating 12 locomotives. The upgrades are intended to improve safety and freight reliability for businesses moving coal, agricultural products and other goods. Separately, up to $3.2 million will support rehabilitation of roughly 12 miles of New Era Railroad track in Wells, Huntington and Grant counties, along with tie replacements, ballast work and improvements to two crossings; the award is part of a broader selection of seven Indiana rail projects eligible for up to $75 million.