The U.S. Senate’s subcommittee on transportation recently approved $10 million to help finance the Third-Rail project, which is designed to improve the movement of freight to the former naval facility at Quonset Point. U.S. Senator Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, who pushed for the funding, said because of the importance of the project he expects to get full Senate approval soon.
“The ability to ship materials and products by freight rail is critically important to the survival and growth of Rhode Island’s industry and the overall economic health of our state,” said Reed. “The investment in the rail project means a stronger economy and more jobs for Rhode Islanders.”
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The vote by the subcommittee, made last month, was part of the Transportation Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2000.
The Third Rail project has received $28 million from Congress over the past three fiscal years. The additional $10 million would bring the federal contribution near the goal of $50 million that is needed. The state has also provided $50 million in matching funds for the freight-rail upgrade.
The state’s Congressional delegation had originally requested $15 million in funding, but that was whittled done to $10 million.
Amtrak is installing a high-speed electrified railway system along the 157-mile leg of the Northeast Corridor between New Haven and Boston are placing the future of freight-rail service in Rhode Island in jeopardy. Freight trains currently use those Amtrak lines during off-hours, but would not be able to do so when the high-speed system is in place.
The proposed link of the Third Rail from Quonset Point to Central Falls will be 22 miles long.
Many businesses in the state rely heavily on the outcome of this project. For some manufacturers, freight rail service is the only affordable way to transport a heavy volume of raw materials, like lumber, metal and steel. Automobiles is another industry that relies on rail transportation.
As part of the project, rail beds will have to be made low enough and bridges expanded to accommodate double-stacked freight cars.
U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy said the freight line is vital to Rhode Island’s big picture.
“The Third Track is of unparalleled importance to the economic integrity of our state,” said Kennedy. “While the Congressional delegation had requested $15 million in Fiscal Year 2000, I am pleased that the transportation subcommittee has chosen to support the program by funding $10 million.”
U.S. Rep Bob Weygand echoed Kennedy’s comments.
“This $10 million, if allocated by the full Congress, will match state dollars to purchase material and to pay for the continued construction of this important transportation and economic project,” he said. “Once completed, the Third Track project will help Rhode Island stay on the road to long-term economic stability.”
Gov. Lincoln Almond’s office said it is critical to stay on the state’s timeline for the project, which calls for the Third Rails’ completion by 2001.
“If the Third Rail is not built the transportation of freight by rail will come to a sudden halt so it is extremely important to keep this project moving,” said Almond spokesman John M. Rooke.
Rooke said that work is presently being done along five miles of tracks at the northern end of the route in Central Falls and Pawtucket. He said engineers are now wrapping up the design of the remaining 17 miles, running from Providence to Quonset.
