Railroad crossing at night, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND — Out of the $67.9 million awarded to Nebraska for Federal Rail Crossing Safety Grants, the City of Grand Island is bringing in $600,000.
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the funding today, which will be coming through the Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program to enhance rail safety and mobility.
Grand Island is one of just three Nebraska cities to receive the grants, with Omaha and Lincoln being the other two. The city will use the funds for a rail crossing study, which will create a prioritized Corridor Improvement Plan for 17 crossings, recommending closures, grade separations and safety enhancements to improve travel reliability and emergency response.
“This is wonderful news for Nebraska,” NDOT Local Assistance Division Manager Jodi Gibson said in a press release. “We want to congratulate and thank the City of Lincoln and the City of Grand Island for their efforts to secure this funding. These projects will save lives, reduce delays and enhance emergency response times.”
“An investment this large, over $67 million, will make a significant impact to the safety and efficiency of Nebraska’s transportation system,” added NDOT Director Vicki Kramer in the press release. “Railroad crossings present a vulnerability, and the funding will allow Lincoln and Grand Island to address their local needs while the funds awarded to NDOT will focus on the 73 crossings between Omaha and Lincoln.”
For more information, please contact Communications Manager Spencer Schubert at spencers@grand-island.com.
