Northern Lines Railway Receives Up to $1.3 Million Federal CRISI Grant

Project Will Improve Track Conditions, Rail Safety and Service Reliability in Central Minnesota

ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Northern Lines Railway (NLR), an Anacostia Rail Holdings Company (ARH), has been awarded up to $1.3 million in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program. The funding will support the Minnesota Track Rehabilitation & Reliability Project.

The project will fund the rehabilitation of approximately 25 miles of track in the St. Cloud region of Minnesota. Planned improvements include replacing deteriorated ties and correcting track surface and alignment defects. The work is designed to enhance rail safety, improve system and service performance, reduce derailment risk, support the continued safe movement of hazardous materials, increase freight capacity, and improve the overall condition of the railroad’s infrastructure.

“We’re grateful for Secretary Duffy’s commitment to investing in infrastructure projects all across America—including right in our own backyard! We were happy to support the Northern Lines Railway Track Rehabilitation and Reliability Project and were thrilled to hear that the U.S. Department of Transportation is investing $1.3 million in the project, which includes 25 miles of track in the St. Cloud area,” said Congressman Tom Emmer. “St Cloud is one of the largest cities in Minnesota’s Sixth Congressional District, and this investment will help ensure the area can continue to grow and thrive.”

“Investing in our rail infrastructure is essential to maintaining safe, reliable service for our customers and the communities we serve,” said James McDonald, General Manager of Northern Lines Railway. “This federal funding will help us address critical track conditions, reduce derailment risk, and improve the reliability and capacity of our network. We appreciate the support that makes these important infrastructure improvements possible.”

Northern Lines Railway will contribute a 35% non-federal cost share toward the project, demonstrating its commitment to maintaining and improving the infrastructure that supports its customers and the regional economy.