Rhode Island wins $28M in federal money for rail improvements

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island has received $28 million in federal money for railroad improvements from a pot of stimulus money that Florida turned down.

The U.S. Department of Transportation Monday awarded $25 million for improvements at the Kingston Train Station in South Kingstown and $3 million for preliminary engineering and environmental work to renovate the Providence Station.

At Kingston, workers will build a 1.5-mile siding to accommodate trains waiting for high-speed trains to pass. The U.S. DOT said the improvements would allow Amtrak’s high-speed trains to operate at up to 150 mph as they pass the station.

In Providence, the design work will set the stage for improvements that the DOT said, “will enhance the passenger experience, keep the station in good working order and improve transit and pedestrian connectivity.”

The money for Rhode Island comes as part of $2 billion in railway improvements announced Monday by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. The department said that 24 states, Washington, D.C., and Amtrak submitted nearly 100 applications asking for money.

The department’s Federal Railroad Administration selected 15 states and Amtrak to receive money for 22 high-speed intercity passenger rail projects as part of a nationwide network that will connect 80 percent of Americans to high-speed rail in 25 years.

“President Obama and Vice President Biden’s vision for a national rail system will help ensure America is equipped to win the future with the fastest, safest and most efficient transportation network in the world,” LaHood said. “The investments we’re making today will help states across the country create jobs, spur economic development and boost manufacturing in their communities.”

Rhode Island had initially requested $31 million, including money to study improvements at the new railroad station at T.F. Green Airport in Warwick. That money does not appear to have materialized.

Rhode Island and other states submitted their requests after Florida Gov. Rick Scott canceled a project that would have connected Tampa and Orlando with high-speed trains. The Obama administration had pledged $2.4 billion toward the project.

According to reports, Scott said he was concerned that the state government would be locked into years of operating subsidies.