Politics & Government
$500,000 Grant Will Replace Southbridge Street Bridge Railway
Worcester was among seven cities that received a freight rail infrastructure grant.
WORCESTER, MA—The Providence and Worcester Railroad is among those that received a freight rail infrastructure grant award.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced the awarding of seven grants totaling more than $2.2 million as part of the 2016 Industrial Rail Access Program (IRAP). IRAP is a competitive state-funded public/private partnership program that provides financial assistance to eligible applicants who are prepared to invest in industry-based rail infrastructure access improvement projects.
Worcester received $500,000 for a project that will increase access to the freight rail system by replacing the weight restricted Southbridge Street Bridge. Replacing this bridge will improve efficiencies and reduce costs for shippers requiring heavy load shipments into P&Ws Worcester and Gardner facilities, according to the announcement.
“Improving access to the Commonwealth’s freight rail network is an important step in stimulating economic growth,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack in a statement. “We look forward to collaborating with the recipients to advance their important projects and ensure that Massachusetts businesses have the tools and resources to grow and thrive.”
The seven projects awarded IRAP grants are geographically diverse and are expected to:
• Result in an additional 16,500 carloads carried by freight railroads per year;
• Eliminate 37,000 truck trips annually from Massachusetts roadways;
• Support the creation of 77 new jobs;
• Support the retention of 240 existing jobs.
Created as part of the 2012 Transportation Bond Bill, IRAP provides grants to railroads, rail shippers and municipalities that identify a public benefit gained through improved rail transportation usage or economic growth that would be realized through improved access to rail assets.
Other recipients included projects in Bedford, Freetown, Ayer, Westfield, Palmer and South Barre.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
