JACKSON, MISS– The Mississippi Department of Transportation is giving grants to some state railways in order to provide for replacement, maintenance, and upkeep.
“Mississippi’s railroads are a vital part of our state’s transportation infrastructure, and these grants will help make needed improvements that will continue to support local economic growth and development,” said Transportation Commissioners Dick Hall, Tom King and Mike Tagert in a joint statement by the MTC.
Here’s where the grant money is going:
Port Bienville, Bay St. Louis, will get $364,031 for construction of 580 feet of new track in the Port Bienville Industrial Park.
Mississippi-Alabama Railroad Authority in Belmont will receive funds totaling $297,000 to replace 1,100 cross ties, switch tie rehab for three switches, ballast replacement and track surfacing.
A check for $394,319 goes to Mississippi Railway, Inc. in Fulton in order to upgrade rail to a weight capacity of 286,000 pounds, including rail and bridge upgrades.
Mississippi Delta Railroad in Clarksdale will be able to upgrade rail from 85 to 115 pounds from marker 102.2 to marker 101 with grant money totaling $389,275.
In total, that’s $1,444, 625 for railway improvement in the state.
