The Massachusetts Department of Transportation recently issued two grants totaling $1.1 million from its Industrial Rail Access Program or IRAP to enhance freight rail access, economic opportunity, and job growth statewide.
[Above photo by MassDOT]
The agency said IRAP is a competitive state-funded public/private partnership program that provides financial assistance to companies investing in rail infrastructure that directly leads to their increased use of the rail network and related reduction in regional truck traffic.
Grant recipients must also match MassDOT’s fiscal support with other sources of funds adding up to at least 40 percent of a project’s total cost.
“Investing in freight rail is not just about tracks and trains. It is about unlocking opportunity, supporting local businesses, and shaping a stronger economic future for Massachusetts,” said Monica Tibbits-Nutt, MassDOT secretary and CEO, in a statement.
She pointed out that IRAP projects were approved based on meeting program requirements and the level of public benefits they offered such as system preservation, mobility, economic development, and safety.
“This year’s award recipients are helping to deliver the infrastructure our Commonwealth needs, improving access, cutting emissions, and strengthening the supply chains that keep our communities moving,” Tibbits-Nutt noted. “Their work brings us closer to a more sustainable, resilient, and connected economy that will serve future generations.”
“Our team is proud to support projects that can meet the freight needs of businesses in Massachusetts and move us in the right direction for meeting our ambitious climate goals,” added Meredith Slesinger, MassDOT’s rail and transit administrator.
“The efficiency of our freight rail network is a top priority for us, and we are pleased to see such ingenuity from the private sector in delivering the infrastructure that will lead to improved travel times and loading and unloading capabilities,” she said.
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