INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — A $3.5 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration will boost railroad safety in Indiana. The Indiana Railroad Co., Indiana Department of Transportation and the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District will use the funds to make the improvements.
The Indiana Railroad Co. will use $130,000 to improve 321 railroad crossings in 10 counties in Indiana and Illinois. Brush and trees will be cleared from 201 crossings and new warning signs will be installed at 120 others.
The Indiana Department of Transportation will invest $640,000 to improve safety conditions for “at risk” crossings in Oakland City, Muncie, Wheatfield and Shelburn.
The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District will get $2.69 million to add two platform access points at the East Chicago Train Station. The FRA says the additions will reduce congestion, enhance safety and operational efficiencies, decrease passenger delays and reduce the probability of derailments.
“It is vitally important that we invest in safety as rail continues to play an increasingly larger role in this country, transporting tons of freight and millions of passengers each day,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “These grants will help address some of the improvements that are crucial to ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient railroad networks.”