Two of the three inland port grants are going to America’s Central Port, which is situated on the Mississippi River, simply south of St. Louis at Granite City, Ill. [Photo: America’s Central Port]
The St. Louis Regional Freightway studies that eight main infrastructure tasks in Madison and St. Clair Counties in southwestern Illinois, together with three at inland ports, are receiving greater than $41 million in grant funding via the 2023 Illinois Competitive Freight Program. The initiative, which distributes federal infrastructure funds via the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), goals to enhance the motion of freight and create jobs and financial alternative whereas enhancing security and native high quality of life. Successful proposals had been ranked primarily based on the plan’s targets: rising security, bettering reliability, and boosting intermodal connections and commerce on the native stage. A complete of greater than $200 million is being invested in 22 tasks on established freight routes statewide.
Two inland ports are receiving grants totaling $10,059,800:
- $4,323,800 to the Kaskaskia Regional Port District for congestion discount and security engineering and building.
- $3,636,000 for dock enhancements at America’s Central Port in Madison County.
- $2,100,000 for highway enhancements at America’s Central Port.
“The State of Illinois continues to be a great partner and certainly understands the value of freight transportation at all inland ports,” stated Dennis Wilmsmeyer, govt director at America’s Central Port, which is situated on the Mississippi River, simply south of St. Louis at Granite City, Ill. “We are pleased to work with the State of Illinois on rehabilitation of critical roads within our main industrial park that will allow trucks ease of access to and from the port’s terminals and warehouses.”
Wilmsmeyer stated the funding for the growth of the Granite City Harbor General Cargo Dock will enable for a rise in capability and motion of products to and from barges. That challenge additionally will improve the laydown space, truck turning space, and supply a safer and extra environment friendly floor for dealing with commodities.
Ed Weilbacher, normal supervisor of Kaskaskia Regional Port District, in Red Bull, Ill., stated: “This challenge not solely reduces congestion and improves security and effectivity but in addition builds the infrastructure to hyperlink to a brand new south dock that was simply submitted to the Maritime Administration’s PIDP program. We drastically recognize the State of Illinois in choosing our challenge for funding. It exhibits that the State of Illinois helps ports all through the state.
- The full record of 2023 Priority Projects, which incorporates extra particulars about every of the 25 tasks recognized for funding, is on the market HERE.
