The Rainier Rail company will receive $1.7 million in federal funds to improve four bridges in Western Washington, including the Minnesota St. Bridge in Rainier, according to a joint announcement from U.S. Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell.
On Friday, Washington’s senators announced the funds are part of more than $115 million in infrastructure upgrades awarded to improve the state’s railroad system.
“Rainier Rail provides important transportation connections for goods including aircraft materials and animal feed moving through western Washington,” Cantwell said in a statement. “This project will improve their track capacity and replace aging rail ties to ensure they can continue serving customers in our state.”
The grants were awarded through the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program. During negotiations for the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Cantwell secured $5 billion in funding over five years for the CRISI program.