Northern Lines Railway attains CRISI grant for Minnesota track rehab

Northern Lines Railway (NLR) has secured a $1.3 million federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grant to rehabilitate about 25 miles of track in the St. Cloud region of Minnesota.

NLR, a subsidiary of Anacostia Rail Holdings Co., will replace deteriorated ties and correct track surface and alignment defects. The work is intended to enhance safety, improve performance and the overall condition of the infrastructure, reduce derailment risk, support continued safe movement of hazardous materials and increase capacity on the line.

NLR will contribute a 35% non-federal cost share toward the project, railroad officials said in a press release.

"Investing in our rail infrastructure is essential to maintaining safe, reliable service for our customers and the communities we serve," said James McDonald, general manager of NLR. "This federal funding will help us address critical track conditions, reduce derailment risk and improve the reliability and capacity of our network. We appreciate the support that makes these important infrastructure improvements possible."

NLR connects Minnesota's lumber, granite, cement, agricultural, building product and manufacturing businesses with the national freight network. It operates and maintains 25 miles of BNSF Railway-owned track in the St. Cloud region, interchanging 10,000 annual carloads with BNSF.