07.27.15

Hoeven Announces More than $2.7 Million in DOT Funding for Midwest Rail Planning

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is committing $2,780,651 in funding to facilitate multi-state rail planning in North Dakota and other Midwest states. The FRA will use the funds to enhance the FRA’s passenger rail network with updated cost and trip data, as well as add new mapping and benefit-cost analysis features.

“We need more accurate planning for passenger rail in North Dakota and throughout the Midwest so that we can operate rail more efficiently,” Hoeven said.  “This is an investment in rail infrastructure and will help make the overall system run more smoothly. I will continue to work in the Appropriations Committee to secure funding to build rail infrastructure that will make our railroads safer and more efficient.”

In May, Senator Hoeven spoke with FRA Administrator Sarah Feinberg and other rail and government officials about how to improve rail safety in North Dakota. Hoeven also worked to secure $246 million in the FY 2016 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Bill to address safety concerns related to recent accidents involving transport of crude oil by rail and pipeline.

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