The proposed project will construct four (4) rail sidings in multiple cities across nebraska on the ncrc operated line

The Nebraska Central Railroad Company (NCRC) was awarded a $10,708,444 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (CFDA 20.325) to construct four rail sidings and continue five road crossings across multiple cities in Nebraska. The project aims to improve railroad efficiency, reliability, and capacity, alleviate freight rail congestion, and enhance multi-modal connectivity to strengthen the rail network's resilience.

The scope of work includes project management, preliminary engineering, environmental review, final design, and construction activities. This grant award will enable NCRC, a Class III shortline railroad operating predominantly Class 2 track leased from Union Pacific, to make critical infrastructure upgrades and enhance its freight transportation services in the state. The project is scheduled for completion by October 31, 2026.

Ncrc, the intended beneficiary, is a class III shortline railroad operating predominately class 2 track leased from union pacific (up). The grantee will perform grading, material installation, track construction, and surfacing work. Additionally, there are five (5) road crossings that will be continued through the new rail sidings, as a continuation of existing road crossings at norfolk subdivision MP 7.47, ORD subdivision 4.6 and 5.59, and stromsburg subdivision MP 73.3 and 73.39. The sidings aim to improve railroad efficiency, reliability, and capacity alleviate congestion at freight rail choke-points and enhance multi-modal connections to strengthen rail network resiliency in the event of major flooding. This project consists of 5 tasks with corresponding deliverables: task 1 - project management (DWP FPR), task 2 - preliminary engineering, task 3 - environmental review (nepa documentation CE), task 4 - final design, and task 5 - construction.