Congressman Cohen: Memphis Will Benefit from $52.5 Million Federal Rail Grant Announced Today
February 17, 2010
The federal funding will be used to construct two new intermodal facilities, including one in the Memphis area. The grant will fund improvement to existing pad and support tracks, build new trailer and container parking areas, lead tracks and related ancillary buildings and features.
“This infusion of federal funding will extend Memphis’s prominence as America’s Distribution Hub and give us a rail system that rivals Chicago,” Congressman Cohen said. “By investing in our rails, rivers, runways and roads, Memphis will continue to play a vital role in keeping people and commerce moving throughout our nation for many years to come.”
“Because of its strategic location and the growing intermodal demands in the Southeast, the Memphis Regional Intermodal Facility will create jobs, eliminate long-haul trucks from highways, and create economic development opportunities in the Memphis region,” said Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman. “This project is benefiting from strong leadership in many areas, and we are especially grateful for the visionary support of Gov. Phil Bredesen and Rep. Steve Cohen. At the same time, we very much appreciate the partnership efforts of Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker, and Tennessee Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely.
The $52.5 million in funding was awarded through the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Discretionary Grant Program which was included in the Recovery Act. TIGER Grants are awarded to innovative, multi-modal and multi-jurisdictional transportation projects that promise significant economic and environmental benefits to an entire metropolitan area, a region or the nation.
“I was proud to vote for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which became law one year ago today,” Congressman Cohen said. “The Ninth District has received more than $350 million in Recovery Act funding to save and create teaching and first-responder jobs, promote economic development, spur small business creation, and provide targeted and timely assistance to seniors, veterans and families to help make ends meet or keep their health care.”
Congressman Cohen is a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and serves on several subcommittees that are important to the economic development of the Ninth District. These include the Subcommittees on Aviation; Highways and Transit; and, Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials.
“This infusion of federal funding will extend Memphis’s prominence as America’s Distribution Hub and give us a rail system that rivals Chicago,” Congressman Cohen said. “By investing in our rails, rivers, runways and roads, Memphis will continue to play a vital role in keeping people and commerce moving throughout our nation for many years to come.”
“Because of its strategic location and the growing intermodal demands in the Southeast, the Memphis Regional Intermodal Facility will create jobs, eliminate long-haul trucks from highways, and create economic development opportunities in the Memphis region,” said Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman. “This project is benefiting from strong leadership in many areas, and we are especially grateful for the visionary support of Gov. Phil Bredesen and Rep. Steve Cohen. At the same time, we very much appreciate the partnership efforts of Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker, and Tennessee Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely.
The $52.5 million in funding was awarded through the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Discretionary Grant Program which was included in the Recovery Act. TIGER Grants are awarded to innovative, multi-modal and multi-jurisdictional transportation projects that promise significant economic and environmental benefits to an entire metropolitan area, a region or the nation.
“I was proud to vote for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which became law one year ago today,” Congressman Cohen said. “The Ninth District has received more than $350 million in Recovery Act funding to save and create teaching and first-responder jobs, promote economic development, spur small business creation, and provide targeted and timely assistance to seniors, veterans and families to help make ends meet or keep their health care.”
Congressman Cohen is a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and serves on several subcommittees that are important to the economic development of the Ninth District. These include the Subcommittees on Aviation; Highways and Transit; and, Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials.
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