(WTAQ-WLUK) – Federal grants will help prepare for the rehabilitation of three railroad swing bridges which cross the Fox River in Green Bay and Appleton.
Overall, the Federal Railroad Administration announced $1.4 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The only Wisconsin project is a $2 million grant to the Fox Valley & Lake Superior Rail System for planning and design of the projects.
According to the FRA, “The proposed project involves project development activities for the rehabilitation of three moveable swing bridges over the Fox River on FOXY’s rail line. Due to factors such as the continued deterioration of the bridges and the age (approximately 100 years old), FOXY takes the bridges out of service for an undetermined period on a regular basis, leading to delays in rail and maritime freight shipments.”
There are long-term benefits, as well.
“The project aligns with the selection criteria by improving ability to meet existing and anticipated demand as it will help FOXY prepare for future construction work that will increase load carrying capacity to the industry standard 286,000 pounds, as well as improve railroad operations and connectivity of maritime transportation,” the description states.
The three bridges in the project are:
- Across the Fox River in downtown Green Bay, north of Leicht Park; estimated cost: $6.8 million
- Across the Fox River between Green Bay and Allouez, north of Georgia-Pacific’s Broadway mill; estimated cost: $11.6 million
- Across the Fox River on the east end of the flats in Appleton; estimated cost: $2.9 million
“The safe and efficient flow of commodities is essential to the growth and prosperity of our county, region, and state, and the CRISI funding will help ensure that reliable rail service continues to be available to existing and prospective businesses and industries,” said Brown County Planning Director Cole Runge in a news release.
“Watco and the Fox Valley & Lake Superior Rail System (FOXY) are excited to receive a federal CRISI grant to help improve our railroad infrastructure in Brown and Outagamie Counties,” stated Ken Lucht, Assistant Vice-President of Government and Industry Relations for Watco. “This grant will enable Watco to make strategic investments in freight rail infrastructure that will help improve rail service throughout the region and help grow our economy.”
After the current planning and design process, the work would be scheduled, Runge said. A date for work to begin was not released.
The projects are three of more than a dozen proposed in the Wisconsin Rail Plan 2050 for long-range freight rail projects.
