Montana Rail Link receives $3.5 million federal railroad safety grant

BILLINGS – As Montana Rail Link gets ready to invest millions into new technology upgrades and safety modifications in the coming year, a recent federal grant will also help in that mission.

Ross Lane, the railroad’s communications director, said Monday the company was notified in mid-June of a $3.5 million CRISI (Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to supplement the installation of Positive Train Control on Montana Rail Link.

This was a part of the $95 million Montana Rail Link has already slated to invest in new technology upgrades and safety modifications in the coming year.

“The funds will be used to complete the initial engineering and design phase of the total project,” said Lane.