Manchin Announces $29.7 Million to Strengthen and Improve West Virginia Railroad Infrastructure

Manchin Announces $29.7 Million to Strengthen and Improve West Virginia Railroad Infrastructure

Charleston, WV - Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $29,708,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for two railroad infrastructure projects in West Virginia. The funding will help complete critical repairs to the Winchester & Western Railroad and the Belpre Industrial Parkersburg Railroad.

"I'm pleased the Department of Transportation is awarding more than $29.7 million to improve service, safety and efficiency along the Winchester & Western and Belpre Industrial Parkersburg railroad lines," said Senator Manchin. "The robust funding announced today is a great investment in further connecting West Virginia communities, and I am confident that it will bring more visitors to our great state and spur substantial economic development. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue advocating for resources that strengthen and improve transportation infrastructure across the Mountain State."

Individual awards listed below:

• $22,796,000 - Winchester & Western Railroad (WWRR) Acquisition: Panhandle Rail Industrial Development Expansion Project
• • This funding will support final design and construction activities to rehabilitate segments of the WWRR mainline in West Virginia and Maryland to eliminate all remaining legacy rail and old tie structure.
• $6,912,000 - Belpre Industrial Parkersburg (BIP) Railroad: BIP Railroad Regional Connectivity Improvements Project
• • This project will complete final design and construction activities to repair two bridges on the Belpre Industrial Parkersburg BIP Railroad in Ohio and West Virginia.