Rep. Ronny Jackson Announces $24.6 Million Federal Rail Infrastructure Investment Benefiting Rural Communities and Freight Rail Operations

WASHINGTON — Today, Representative Ronny Jackson (TX-13) announced that the Panhandle Northern Railroad LLC has been selected to receive up to $24,673,810 in federal funding through the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program for its Revitalizing America’s Industrial Lifelines (RAIL) project. The project will support track rehabilitation and infrastructure improvements across short-line railroads in Texas. This will include the Panhandle Northern Railway, which connects Borger, Texas, and the nation’s largest inland chemical complex, to the national rail network. The improvements will include installing new rail, switch timbers, and turnouts to enhance railroad safety, improve reliability, and strengthen freight rail operations. The project was selected for project development, final design, and construction and qualifies for the CRISI Program’s statutory set-aside for rural areas. “Investing in our nation’s rail infrastructure is critical to keeping American goods moving safely and efficiently,” said Rep. Jackson. “Short-line railroads play an important role in connecting rural communities, supporting local industries, and strengthening our supply chains. This federal investment will help improve rail safety and reliability in TX-13 while supporting the infrastructure that businesses, workers, and communities depend on. I will continue working to ensure rural America receives the infrastructure investments it needs to grow and prosper.” ###