The Department of Transportation is starting to push out the first of nearly $17.6 million in a multi-layered stimulus grant for upgrades of some Appalachian freight short line railroads, by nailing down an implementing pact with one of three states involved.

The DOT said it completed an accord "that will help fund West Virginia's portion of the Appalachian Regional Short Line Rail project."

The project is expected to cost $22 million in all, and will fund improvements to five unconnected short lines held by the R.J. Corman Group. Most of the work will be in Kentucky, plus some in Tennessee and West Virginia, to lay new replacement tracks and crossties, repair bridges or improve tunnels and lay reflective tape at various rail crossings in the mountain region to improve rail-roadway safety.

"Short line railroads play an important role in our nation's transportation system," said DOT Secretary Ray LaHood. "Investing in this project will spur economic growth for the region and create jobs for the community."

This was one of 51 projects the DOT announced on Feb. 17, to be funded out of a $1.5 billion discretionary stimulus grant pool the department could allocate for work it deemed of special regional or national significance.

The short line agreement this month with West Virginia is the first of the three state contracts needed. While the overall federal grant is for $17.551 million, this accord covers only $1.77 million of the total. As such, it illustrates not only that the department is working with states to get moving on approved stimulus projects but also that even relatively small construction plans can take time to coordinate among the various parties.

The broader Appalachian project is meant to upgrade hundreds of miles of the five Corman properties and "divert bulk commodity shipments of aluminum, sand and chemicals from truck to rail," the DOT said. It said improving average train speeds will help spur that traffic shift, "reducing highway traffic, congestion and wear on roads" while curbing fuel use and vehicle emissions.

The portion in West Virginia is in Fayette County on a short line that serves shippers of coal, forest products and other bulk commodities, a local news report said.

Source: JOC