The project will install two rail tracks to create a rail yard near an existing port terminal

The Department of Transportation Maritime Administration awarded $10 million to the Kaskaskia Regional Port District on August 4, 2026, under the Port Infrastructure Development Program (CFDA 20.823) to design and construct rail infrastructure improvements supporting bulk cargo movement at a port terminal near Red Bud, Illinois.

The project encompasses five components. Component 1 delivers Section 106 cultural resources survey services and National Environmental Policy Act environmental assessment consulting required for compliance. Component 2 provides legal services for the grant period. Component 3 covers overall design for the construction phase. Component 4 installs emergency culvert stabilization using sheet piles at railroad bridge abutments over a branch of Doza Creek, removes the failing culvert and riprap toe, and may require micropiles under the abutments. Component 5 executes construction of a new rail yard with two ladder tracks approximately 3,000 feet in length each, extending from an existing weight scale east to Pete Junk Road, and corridor safety improvements and upgrades to approximately 53 miles of existing track. Track work includes embankment accommodation, sub-ballast, complete track assembly, timber crossings, new pipe culverts, ditch grading, two turnouts, and a service road along the south side of the rail alignment. Track profile raising approximately 2 feet with new ballast is also included, along with culvert and rail tie replacement.

Performance of work is scheduled from the award date through April 26, 2029, at the Red Bud, Illinois location.

Improvements consist of approximately 6000 feet of storage tracks two turnouts and upgrades to approximately 53 miles of track to support the movement of bulk cargo in addition to culvert and rail tie replacement. Activities to be performed the project will be completed in the following five components component 1 section 106 and nepa consultive services to complete the cultural resources survey as part of the section 106 requirements of the national historic preservation act and consultive services to complete the needed environmental assessment as required by the national environmental policy act nepa. Component 2 legal services as needed for the life of the grant. Component 3 design overall design for the construction component. Component 4 install emergency culvert stabilization using sheet piles at the railroad bridge abutments over branch of doza creek. Remove failing culvert and riprap TOE. Doza creek rail alignment may require micropiles under the abutments. Component 5 construction element 1 construction of a new rail yard with two ladder tracks and element 2 corridor safety improvements and upgrades to approximately 5 3 miles of existing track. Two siding tracks are approximately 3000 feet in length each and extend from the existing weight scale east to pete junk road. Track upgrades include the existing track adjacent to the proposed siding track and parallel to baer schmoll and hills town roads to a point where rail ties into the vistra lead track. Work on siding tracks includes embankment to accommodate two new tracks sub ballast complete track assembly timber crossings at entrance points new pipe culverts ditch grading two turnouts and construction of a service road along the south side of the rail alignment. Some tree removal will be required. Rail corridor upgrades will consist of raising the track profile approximately 2 with new ballast new rail anchors intermittent tie renewal with new plates and spot rail removal and replacement. Exact quantities and locations will be determined during plan preparation. Approximately 11 cross track culverts and 16 entrance location culverts are expected to be removed and replaced with prestressed concrete cylinder PCC pipes. Deliverables expected outcomes from schedule G page 11 of the grant agreement measure freight movements. Category and description economic competitiveness number of railcar movements over project study area. Measurement frequency quarterly. Measure gross tons. Category and description economic competitiveness the movement of gross tonnage of freight in the area defined by the project study area. Measurement frequency quarterly. Intended beneficiary kaskaskia regional port district. Subrecipient activities none.