Fla. County Receives Federal Grant to Improve Railway
The Department of Transportation has approved an $8.67 million grant for Taylor County, Fla., to revitalize 80 miles of railway between Florida and Georgia, Rep. Neal Dunn (R-Fla.) has announced.
“These railway improvements will mean improved economic and job opportunities in Taylor County, and I will continue to be a leading voice for the people I am honored to represent,” Dunn said in a statement posted to his website.
The federal grant will fund 19 upgrades to warning devices at grade crossings, 90 public and private grade crossing surfaces and the installation of 70 crossties. The grant also will support the hardening of 16 bridges.
These planned renovations will be welcome additions to the railroad, which has fallen into disrepair in some areas, Taylor County Administrator Ted Lakey said, noting that trains are forced to slow to 25 mph at certain places.
“We’re excited and very pleased that Congressman Neal Dunn has been able to move so quickly,” Lakey said. “It’s much needed here.”
The 80 miles of rail that will be rehabilitated span from Foley, Fla., to Adel, Ga. The Georgia & Florida Railway uses the line to transfer product from the Georgia-Pacific cellulose mill to markets in the southeastern United States.
