Monday, May 04, 1998 (Washington, DC) TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY SLATER ANNOUNCES $10 MILLION GRANT FOR ALASKA RAILROADS

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater today announced a $10 million Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) safety improvement and capital rehabilitation grant to the Alaska Railroad Corporation for passenger railroad operations in Alaska.

"President Clinton is committed to improving the nation’s railroad infrastructure," said Secretary Rodney E. Slater. "This grant will increase safety and improve efficiency throughout Alaska’s passenger rail operations."

The funds will aid in the railroad’s restoration of mainline track allowing for faster, more reliable, safer passenger and freight train operations. The state of Alaska, acting through the Alaska Railroad Corporation, is the only state that directly provides intercity rail passenger service to its citizens. In many rural areas throughout Alaska, the railroad provides the only reliable surface transportation during winter.

"The state of Alaska will benefit from this funding, especially people who live in remote areas where rail service is essential to their lives," said FRA Administrator Jolene M. Molitoris.

The Alaska Railroad covers 482 miles of track from Anchorage to Fairbanks in the North and from Anchorage to Seward in the South.

With today’s grant, the FRA has provided a total of $30 million over the last three years to improve the Alaska Railroad track and signal systems. Earlier this month, the Alaska Railroad also received the first half of $23 million in federal funds provided under the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. Together, this federal investment will permit the first major rehabilitation of the Alaska Railroad in over 40 years.