Southern Illinois Congressman Mike Bost has announced that $25.1 million in federal funding has been secured for major improvements to the Evansville Western Railway.
The funding will support upgrades to approximately 124.5 miles of freight railroad stretching from Evansville, Indiana, to Okawville, Illinois, benefiting freight transportation across Southern Illinois and southwestern Indiana.
The grant was awarded through the Federal Railroad Administration’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grant Program.
According to Bost, the investment will help modernize the railway, improve safety and provide more reliable freight transportation for businesses that depend on rail service.
The project includes replacing aging rails and railroad ties, installing hot bearing detectors to identify potential equipment problems, constructing a new locomotive maintenance facility and rehabilitating 12 locomotives.
The improvements are designed to reduce the risk of equipment failures while strengthening the transportation network used to move coal, agricultural products and other materials throughout the region.
Bost said Southern Illinois railroads play an important role in supporting the regional economy, particularly industries that rely on dependable freight transportation.
He added that the federal investment will help strengthen infrastructure, improve railroad operations and support economic opportunities for communities throughout Southern Illinois.
The Evansville Western Railway serves as an important freight connection between southwestern Indiana and Southern Illinois, supporting the movement of energy products and other commodities.
The announcement did not specify when construction and equipment improvements are expected to begin or when the project will be completed.