Funding Secure For Railroad Project
Nearly $15 million has been secured to improve railroad infrastructure in and around Malta for the Amtrak Empire Builder route.
In April of this year, Roosevelt County commissioners approved sending a letter of support for an Amtrak extension near Malta. The proposal aims to create double railroad tracks for a 15-mile span in oder to improve service.
The project is anticipated to benefit both freight and passenger trains.
Funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will be administered through the Federal-State Partnership program.
U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., worked with five Republicans and four Democrats to negotiate the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“As someone who’s spent his entire life in north central Montana, I can tell you firsthand just how critical the Empire Builder is to keeping communities connected and helping Montana small businesses thrive,” Tester said in a press release. “For years folks have been telling me that we need an upgrade to our rail infrastructure around Malta to improve passenger and freight services, and with the help of my bipartisan infrastructure law, we’ll finally be able to deliver. These funds will help ensure smooth and reliable service along the Empire Builder, and I’m proud to have worked across the aisle to make it happen.”
According to the press release, the funding will help with final design and construction of various track, bridge, signal and other rail infrastructure improvements on BNSF tracks near Malta. The improved infrastructure will eliminate bottlenecks in the area that have previously caused delays and operational conflicts for freight and passenger trains.
