DOT Announces $1.4 Billion to Improve Rail Safety, Supply Chains and Passenger Rail in 70 Projects Across the Nation, Thanks to Cantwell-Championed Program

Press Release

"Thanks to this funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, our State of Washington wheat will reach local and international markets faster. The legislation nearly tripled funding for freight rail infrastructure, allowing the Palouse River & Coulee City Railroad to make this upgrade that will allow trains to safely travel twice as fast on sections of the 297-mile route. The railroad is a critical part of the Washington Grain Train program, which serves over 2,500 farmers and moves tons of grain to ships at deep-water ports destined for overseas markets.

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"This Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding will allow Tacoma Rail to operate the first ever zero-emission locomotives in the State of Washington, which is great news for everyone who works or lives near the Port of Tacoma. Tacoma Rail will replace two diesel locomotives that are nearly 60 years old with two battery-electric locomotives and charging infrastructure, which will reduce maintenance costs and eliminate 1,240 pounds of diesel particulate matter each year to improve local air quality."

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