Budzinski Secures $56.7 Million in Critical Rail and Port Infrastructure Investments for Decatur and Granite City

Resources / Press Share on Budzinski Secures $56.7 Million in Critical Rail and Port Infrastructure Investments for Decatur and Granite City Oct 30, 2026 Press Today, U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has awarded a combined $49,906,330 to two Illinois railroads in her district through its Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program. The Decatur and Eastern Illinois Railroad (DREI) will receive $42,554,984 , and V&S Railway will receive $7,351,346 . Earlier this year, Budzinski wrote to FRA Administrator David Fink in support of both applications for the district. In addition, Budzinski announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration has awarded $6,772,000 to America’s Central Port in Granite City under the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP). “Our farmers grow some of the best crops in the world, but without reliable rail and port infrastructure, their ability to get those crops to market — and their livelihoods — are at risk,” said Congresswoman Budzinski . “This announcement is an important step toward giving our farmers the reliability and certainty they need. By modernizing aging rail infrastructure and rehabilitating a critical port access point, we can strengthen our supply chains, get Illinois crops to market, and keep our agricultural economy moving.” “The project will modernize V and S Railway’s railyard in Granite City, Illinois, by rebuilding 1942-era yard track to accommodate 286,000-pound railcars and reconfiguring the yard to serve America’s Central Port more efficiently. The project will also add a new transload spur serving A&K Railroad Materials, Inc.’s new continuous welded rail facility. This award will help transform a yard built for a different era into a safer, more efficient gateway supporting freight movement nationwide and American rail manufacturing,” said Nathan Mitchler, Vice President & General Counsel of V&S Railway . “The Port is very excited about the announcement that it will receive $6.7 million in federal funds for this rail project,” said Dennis Wilmsmeyer , Executive Director of America’s Central Port District . “These funds will rehabilitate the Port’s only access to all of the six Class One rail carriers; a vital link to the nation. We are grateful to so many who have made this project a reality, and are looking forward to ensuring rail movement into and out of America’s Central Port District for the next 25 years.” The CRISI Program funds projects that improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of passenger and freight rail, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law significantly expanded it. DREI moves grain from local farmers to Decatur for processing. The award will fund upgrades along this corridor, including new rail and ties, upgraded switches and sidings, improved crossings, and the rehabilitation of a key bridge. The funding will also allow V&S Railway and local partners to take full advantage of a new continuous welded rail (CWR) manufacturing facility at the site. Once operational, the facility should roughly triple domestic CWR output in Granite City and support new jobs and skilled workforce training in the region. Administered by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), the PIDP is a competitive, discretionary grant program that funds both planning and capital projects. The program aims to modernize port and freight infrastructure, ensuring it can meet anticipated growth in freight volumes while improving the safety, efficiency, and reliability of goods moving through our nation’s supply chains. PIDP grants support industry stakeholders across the country, providing critical funding to ports in both urban and rural areas. The program also includes a statutory set-aside specifically dedicated to small ports, helping them expand their capacity, move freight reliably, and drive local and regional economic growth. ### Share on