Cleveland awarded over $27 million to eliminate railroad crossing
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — The City of Cleveland will receive funds to eliminate a railroad crossing. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration made the announcement for the funds on Monday.
The project will create a grade-separated flyover bridge at the rail crossing on 3rd Street Southeast. The federal grant is providing the city with over $27 million for the project.
Once complete, drivers will no longer need to make a stop at the crossing.
Officials say this will improve reliability for rail traffic, reduce travel time for travelers, eliminate blocked crossings and provide new facilities for pedestrians.
This new Railroad Elimination Grant program is part of the Biden Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure law.
The grant is going to 63 projects in 32 states across the country.
Officials say last year, there were over 2,000 highway-rail crossing collisions in the U.S. In addition, there were over 30,000 reports of blocked crossings.
“Every year, commuters, residents, and first responders lose valuable time waiting at blocked railroad crossings – and worse, those crossings are too often the site of collisions that could be prevented,” saidU.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we’re improving rail crossings in communities across the country to save lives, time, and resources for American families.”
3rd St. SE crossing, (Google Maps)
