November 13, 2024

Kelly, Sinema Announce Over $60.2 Million from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Strengthen Railroad Safety, Efficiency, & Reliability Across Arizona

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law led by Sinema and shaped by Kelly provides $60,218,712 for railroad infrastructure and safety improvement projects across Arizona

$60,218,712 will be invested in railroad infrastructure and safety improvement projects across Arizona from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law led by Senator Kyrsten Sinema and shaped by Senator Mark Kelly.

The Federal Railroad Administration allocated the $60,218,712 through Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“Arizona’s railroads are crucial to creating jobs, moving goods and connecting our communities,” said Kelly. “This investment will make sure our rail infrastructure is safer, more efficient, and better prepared for the future. By strengthening our railroads, we’re enhancing safety for Arizonans and boosting economic growth.”

“Today’s $60.2 million investment is an important step forward to better connect our communities and expand economic opportunities – and I’m proud to have made it a reality through my bipartisan infrastructure law,” said Sinema.

Kelly and Sinema’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes the strongest investment ever in American public transit with $39.2 billion to expand transit systems, increase accessibility, and fund the nation’s transit system repair backlog, estimated at more than 24,000 buses; 5,000 rail cars; 200 stations; and thousands of miles of track, signals, and power systems—and the biggest investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak.

In the two years since its passage, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has delivered over $349 million to improve public transportation options and access across the state.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was supported by groups including The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable, The National Association of Manufacturers, The AFL-CIO, The National Retail Federation, The Bipartisan Policy Center, North America’s Building Trades Unions, the Outdoor Industry Association, The American Hotel and Lodging Association, The National Education Association, as well as hundreds of mayors across all 50 states.

Below is a breakdown of the Kelly and Sinema-supported projects and funding amounts:

Project Name	Applicant	Amount	Project Description
Diesel Locomotive Conversion to Battery Regenerative Electric	GCR Acquisitions LLC	$3,377,517	The proposed project was selected for Construction and includes rehabilitation of an older diesel locomotive to a zero-emission battery-electric powered locomotive to operate on the Class III Grand Canyon Railway’s tourist operation between Williams, AZ, and the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. This locomotive upgrade would allow GCR to transport tourists to the park and back on the same battery charge, greatly reducing emissions and noise impacts in this rural and environmentally sensitive area. Xanterra, Grand Canyon Railway’s parent company, will contribute the 20 percent non-Federal match. This project qualifies for the statutory set aside for projects in Rural Areas.
Flagstaff Amtrak Station Accessibility Project	City of Flagstaff	$4,989,600	The proposed project was selected for Final Design and Construction and includes construction of a new, second boarding platform on the south side of the railway at the Amtrak Station located in downtown Flagstaff, AZ. Improvements include the construction of a new south platform that will face the new track being constructed near the station and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements to the new and existing platforms. The project aligns with the selection criteria by improving system and service performance as the project will improve passenger rail infrastructure by increasing boarding platform capacity and a new ADA compliant boarding platform. The City of Flagstaff and BNSF will contribute the 20 percent non-Federal match. This project qualifies for the statutory set-aside for projects in Rural Areas.
Seligman Sub Efficiency Improvements Project	National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)	$30,237,345	The proposed project was selected for Final Design and Construction and includes right-of-way acquisition to install siding, a control point, and a crossover in western Arizona for Amtrak’s Southwest Chief line. The project aligns with the selection criteria by enhancing safety and improving system and service performance as the project will reduce travel time and improve passenger access routes at Amtrak’s Kingman, AZ station. Amtrak and BNSF will contribute the 20 percent non-Federal match. This project qualifies for the statutory set-aside for projects in Rural Areas.
The Eastern Arizona Rail Safety, Efficiency, and Resiliency Project	Arizona Eastern Railway Company	$21,614,250	The proposed project was selected for Final Design and Construction and includes rehabilitation of approximately 34 miles of track, replace three aging timber bridges, install two emergency crossings, cut brush within rights-of-way, and retrofit two tank cars for firefighting for the Arizona Eastern Railway Company. The project aligns with the selection criteria by enhancing safety and resiliency as the project will address infrastructure vulnerabilities in a location with a history of wildfires. The Arizona Eastern Railway Company will contribute the 30 percent non-Federal match. This project qualifies for the statutory set-aside for projects in Rural Areas.