(The following appeared on the Progressive Railroading website on September 1, 2010.)
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) recently applied for $38 million in federal funding through a TIGER II discretionary grant for the $93 million Tower 55 multi-modal improvement project.
Located near downtown Fort Worth, Texas, Tower 55 is one of the busiest at-grade rail intersections in the nation where about 100 freight and passenger trains cross daily, including those operated by BNSF Railway Co. and Union Pacific Railroad. The project is designed to increase rail capacity at intersection; improve safety via closed grade crossings, new pedestrian underpasses and better emergency vehicle access to local neighborhoods; and help expand commuter-rail service in Fort Worth.
BNSF and UP have committed a combined $51.2 million for the project, while the city of Fort Worth has pledged $1 million and North Central Texas Council of Governments and Fort Worth Transportation Authority jointly plan to provide $2.5 million.
The Tower 55 project is “strongly supported” by multiple stakeholders, according to TxDOT, which considers the project its highest priority for TIGER II funding. The U.S. Department of Transportation plans to announce TIGER II grant recipients in mid-September.