Oil Patch Bits: Alaska Railroad receives $26M grant

The Alaska Railroad said June 19 that it is receiving a grant for $25.8 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Federal Transit Administration, under the U.S. Department of Transportation, said the grant is for the track rehabilitation and other railroad-related improvements in Seward, Talkeetna, Fairbanks, Nenana and Anchorage.

“This is a significant investment in the railroad which is an integral part of the Alaska economy moving goods and people throughout the state,” said U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska. “We’re providing jobs, improving the transportation network and boosting the economy all at the same time.”

According to the project summary, money for this project will be used for the collision avoidance system; power upgrades at the Seward depot; construction of the restroom facilities in Seward and Talkeetna; purchase and installation of automated passenger equipment safety devices; construction of a second set of tracks at the Fairbanks intermodal facility; Nenana rail alignment; track rehabilitation; and engineering, construction and safety fencing at the Ship Creek intermodal facility.