O’Fallon, IL — U.S. Reps. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) and Mike Bost (R-Ill.) today applauded the federal grant announced for the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis (TRRA). TRRA has received a $28.8 million U.S. Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Consolidated Railroad Safety and Infrastructure (CRISI) Grant to replace the main span girders on the MacArthur Bridge.

"This grant is all about growing the regional economy," said Davis. "Getting goods to and from the global marketplace is critical for businesses and consumers across my district. Additionally, this grant will also improve rail safety and efficiency so  getting rail passengers safely and efficiently to their destination is critical."

“Southern Illinois is a vital artery in our nation’s transportation network,” said Bost.  “This investment in our infrastructure will help ensure better and safer transportation options for businesses and passengers alike, and that’s a big win for our local communities.”  

“This grant shows the ongoing commitment of the Federal Railroad Administration to providing critical public investments in the St. Louis area and U.S. economy. The awarded funds are critical to maintaining the current level of service to cargoes shipped by rail and passengers on Amtrak, which in turn reduces congestion and wear and tear on the region’s highways”, said TRRA President Mike McCarthy.

In a press release, TRRA provided details of the project and thanked Davis, Bost, and other lawmakers for their bipartisan support.

In a statement TRRA said, "The $57.3 million project represents a public private partnership between the TRRA and the Federal Railroad Administration, with the FRA providing approximately 50% of the funding needed to complete the project with the TRRA providing the other 50%. This grant is coupled with a $7.1 million federal fiscal year 2017 CRISI grant announced earlier this year to replace the Broadway Street Truss on the west approach to the MacArthur Bridge. Together, both projects will extend the life of the bridge to approximately 2085, allow for dimensional loads and enable it to continue to serve the St. Louis region freight and passenger rail network.

"The TRRA is appreciative of the support of key federal, state, local and industry partners in supporting the CRISI grant for this project including Missouri U.S. Senators Roy Blunt and Josh Hawley, Illinois U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth and U.S. Representatives Lacy Clay, Ann Wagner, Blaine Luetkemeyer and Sam Graves from Missouri, U.S. Representatives Rodney Davis and Mike Bost from Illinois, both the Illinois and Missouri Departments of Transportation, St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County, St. Louis Regional Freightway, St. Louis Lambert Airport and East West Gateway Council of Governments." 

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