The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will provide a $44.2 million grant to the Alaska Railroad Corp. (ARRC) to build a dual-use railroad/highway bridge over the Tanana River to a U.S. military training complex.

The bridge is part of the railroad's northern rail extension, which calls for building a 80-mile line from North Pole to Delta Junction. ARRC will use proceeds to fund the development of engineering documents, complete filings for necessary permits, obtain required rights of way, build construction staging areas, and launch construction of the bridge and connecting roadways.

The railroad cannot use funds for construction purposes until all environmental review work is completed. The grant comprises funds from the FY2008 Department of Defense Appropriations Act that were transferred to the FRA to administer.