ALL ABOARD: Quonset Shortline Railroad Upgrades Chugging Along Thanks to Federal Funding
To celebrate moving trucks and congestion off roadways and more freight moving along Quonset’s enhanced freight rail system, U.S. Governor Dan McKee, Senator Jack Reed and members of the Rhode Island Congressional delegation was joined with Federal Rail Administrator Amit Bose and state and local officials for a special ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate three major upgrades to the freight rail system at Quonset that will increase rail operational flexibility.
Governor McKee and the delegation helped cut the ribbon on a new facility for Quonset’s rail operator, Seaview Transportation, to repair and store rail cars and a new connector line that now provides direct access between the Davisville Main Line and the new Mill Creek Rail Yard which created six turnouts and additional storage for up to 58 rail cars.
Approximately 14-miles of train tracks connects Quonset and the Port of Davisville with over a dozen direct customers of the business park. And last year, 7,513 rail cars rolled along Quonset freight rail tracks, a new annual record.
Senator Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee, worked over the last two decades to secure over $55 million for the Freight Rail Improvement Project (FRIP) at Quonset to provide a meaningful rail connection to the port. He also spearheaded efforts along with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse to deliver a $4 million federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant for upgrades at Quonset’s Mill Creek Rail Yard and the Davisville Main Connector.
“A better port with improved rail service means more jobs. This project is part of my decades long efforts to expand port and freight capacity at Quonset to bring more business and economic benefits to the state while also reducing pollution and congestion on our roadways,” said Senator Reed.
Following the ribbon cutting at the Seaview Engine House, officials travel by train to the Davisville Main Connector and Mill Creek Railyard.
