This project upgrades the buckingham branch railroad (bbrr) main line as well as other railcorridor improvements

The Buckingham Branch Railroad Company (BBRR) received a $26.6 million Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements program. The funding will support upgrades to BBRR's main line and other rail corridor improvements to increase the useful life of tracks up to 50 years. Specific projects include installing continuous welded rail on segments, upgrading 14 highway-rail crossings, improving signal communications, re-decking five bridges, replacing ties in Afton Tunnel for reliability and safety, and removing clearance restrictions in two tunnels. The period of performance is from May 1, 2023 through October 31, 2026. The award aims to improve safety, efficiency, and reliability for both intercity passenger and freight rail systems on BBRR's lines, as specified by the grant program.

The upgrades and improvements will enable bbrr to increase the useful lifeof its rail up to 50 years with the installation of continuous welded rail (CWR), improve ride quality for amtraks cardinal service over CWR segments and 14 upgraded highway-rail crossings, create morereliable signal communications and eliminate signal bond wire maintenance by eliminating jointed railsegments, increase safety and reduce the risk of failure with five bridge RE-decking projects, mitigatereliability and safety concerns in afton tunnel with tie replacements and ICE reduction preventionimprovements, and remove plate f clearance restrictions in millboro tunnel and lick run tunnel toopen capacity for increased shipments in plate f cars.