FRA Awards Two Grants to Washington State DOT. The Federal Railroad Administration has awarded two grants to the Washington State Department of Transportation to improve rail safety and upgrade infrastructure. A $1,485,000 grant for the Tacoma Rail Mountain Division will be used to upgrade four bridges and repair rail, crossties, and equipment on several highway/rail grade crossings between Tacoma and Morton. These safety improvements will benefit freight as well as passenger excursion operations to Mt. Rainier National Park.

In addition, $360,943 has been granted for the Olympia Infrastructure Enhancement Project to improve safety at the Market Street highway/rail grade crossing adjacent to the Port of Olympia Marine Terminal. The funds will be used for the installation of safety gates and cantilevered warning lights and the replacement of crossties and rail. Washington DOT will provide an additional $90,236 for the Market Street grade crossing improvements