The U.S. Department of Transportation has given final approval to a $4.9 million grant for the Nebraska Northwestern Railroad’s project to rehabilitate rail lines in and around Chadron, Senator Ben Nelson announced today (Tuesday, April 12).
The Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER II) program grant award was announced in October, but funding was put in question by budget proposals in the U.S. House of Representatives. Nelson said in a news release that the attempt to cut funding for the project failed to pass the U.S. Senate.
Nebraska Northwestern Railroad (NNW) announced last fall a $6.1 million project to upgrade rail lines and bridges in the Chadron yard and west to Crawford, where the line joins a major Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line.
The four-year old railroad company plans to use the existing Chadron roundhouse and yard for repair and refurbishing of railroad engines and other specialized equipment. The wooden roundhouse is one of only a few left in existence in the region, and is large enough to handle some of the biggest diesel engines currently in use.
“We are very excited about (the grant),” Terry Doyle, vice president of operations for NNR said in a brief phone interview Tuesday.
“This grant will ensure continued rail service to Chadron. This creates the opportunity to develop rail-related services and business in Northwestern Nebraska, which will create jobs and provide stimulus to the area economy,” NNW President Jack Nielsen said in the news release.
The Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER II) program grant award was announced in October, but funding was put in question by budget proposals in the U.S. House of Representatives. Nelson said in a news release that the attempt to cut funding for the project failed to pass the U.S. Senate.
Nebraska Northwestern Railroad (NNW) announced last fall a $6.1 million project to upgrade rail lines and bridges in the Chadron yard and west to Crawford, where the line joins a major Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line.
The four-year old railroad company plans to use the existing Chadron roundhouse and yard for repair and refurbishing of railroad engines and other specialized equipment. The wooden roundhouse is one of only a few left in existence in the region, and is large enough to handle some of the biggest diesel engines currently in use.
“We are very excited about (the grant),” Terry Doyle, vice president of operations for NNR said in a brief phone interview Tuesday.
“This grant will ensure continued rail service to Chadron. This creates the opportunity to develop rail-related services and business in Northwestern Nebraska, which will create jobs and provide stimulus to the area economy,” NNW President Jack Nielsen said in the news release.
RSS Feed