GRAND ISLAND — In an effort to improve railroad infrastructure safety and strengthen supply chains, Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited Grand Island to announce $15.2 million for the Cornhusker Railroad Regional Connectivity Project.
Nationally, President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invested more than $1.4 billion into 70 rail improvement projects in 35 states and Washington, D.C.
“This is the largest amount ever awarded for rail safety and rail supply chain upgrades through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program,” per the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT).
“Projects selected through the CRISI program, which is four times larger since President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, support community safety through track improvements, bridge rehabilitations, fewer highway-rail grade crossings, upgrades on routes carrying hazardous materials, and more,” the USDOT stated.
The announcement was made at the Cathcart Rail Facility, west of Grand Island.
The project involves final design and construction activities for track-related improvements, upgrades to certain grade crossings, and expansion of the railcar repair facility.
“These activities will help modernize the Cornhusker Railroad and allow for safer and more efficient operations, such as improving the short line’s interchanging of trains with two Class I railroads,” the USDOT stated.
Mayor Roger Steele welcomed USDOT Secretary Buttigieg to Grand Island and said, “This is a momentous occasion…Cathcart is a significant driver of the economic growth we are experience and an important source of well-paying jobs.”
“We are thankful of the significant investment happening right here in Grand Island,” Steele said, “Today marks the start of a new and exciting rail opportunity for our region’s economy, businesses and residents.”
Casey Cathcart, co-founder and owner of Cathcart Rail also spoke, “Funding such as the CRISI funding allows us safe movement of rail traffic, which is what we want to do as an industry.”
“We are going to be growing and building in this area, it is very exciting,” Cathcart said.
Buttigieg was able to tour the Cathcart facility before offering his remarks to a gathering of local leaders, state senators and the media.
Buttigieg opened his comments by thanking Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer who voted in favor of the Infrastructure Bill and in part was responsible for these funds being made available.
“I know how important railroads are to the rise and fall of communities across America,” Buttigieg said, citing his upbringing in South Bend, Ind.
“This is a railway that is clearly so important to business and agriculture,” said Buttigieg.
Buttigieg noted that many rail lines across American are old and showing the effects of deferred maintenance, noting his travels across the country.
“America has tolerated more than a thousand derailments a year – year after year, for decades,” Buttigieg said and cited the recent rail car fire that occurred in Bailey Yard in North Platte that forced the evacuation of residents in the area.
“It reminds us of the stakes of railroad safety,” Buttigieg said.
The state of rail infrastructure has reached this point because for a half century, the United States did not invest enough in railroads, Buttigieg stated. In 2018, federal, state and local entities collectively only spent one percent on rail, what they spent on roadways, he said.
Buttigieg said the funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are being put to use, citing the $1.4 billion being invested into 70 projects across 35 states.
Two-thirds of the investments are going to rural communities across American, Buttigieg said.
“It’s a good day for people who don’t even think about transportation because anyone who goes to the grocery store is paying prices that are partly effected by the supply chains that move those groceries and agricultural products,” Buttigieg said.
Buttigieg said he believes that the “before and after,” when it comes to the state of America’s rail network will hinge on this decade. He said the Biden administration is focused on leaving America’s infrastructure in a better state than they found it.
“With your help and determination and pride…and with some funding, that is exactly what we are doing,” Buttigieg said to close his remarks.
Later when speaking with the media, Buttigieg said he chose to visit Grand Island to highlight the fact that communities of all sizes are benefiting from these funds.
“This is part of a national story that has local importance everywhere,” Buttigieg said.
