This agreement funds the grantee, RIO valley switching company (rvsc) to complete final engineering design and construction activities with connection to union pacific at harlingen necessary to…

This $5,000,000 Project Grant award from the Federal Railroad Administration's Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program will fund the Rio Valley Switching Company (RVSC) to complete final engineering design and construction activities necessary to rehabilitate two of the four rail lines it operates in Texas.

The key products and services to be delivered through this funding include: 1) Upgrading approximately 28 miles of the Mission Line from excepted track to FRA Class 1 safety standards, 2) Reinforcing an additional 15 miles of the Mission Line to meet FRA Class 1 standards, 3) Rehabilitating 8 miles of the Hidalgo Line, 4) Improving the deck structure on three bridges, and 5) Restoring the switch tie condition for five turnouts. These infrastructure improvements will reduce derailment risks, improve rail system efficiency and service performance, and support increased freight capacity to accommodate economic growth in the region. The project is expected to be completed by October 31, 2025.

This agreement funds the grantee, RIO valley switching company (rvsc) to complete final engineering design and construction activities with connection to union pacific at harlingen necessary to rehabilitate two of the four lines of the rvsc. The rehabilitation work includes: 1) waiving the excepted track restrictions and upgrade to FRA class 1 safety standards from MP 15.0 to 43.0 of the mission line 2) reinforce the existing FRA class 1 safety standards from MP 0.0 to 15.0 of the mission line 3) rehabilitated track from MP 0.0 to 8.0 of the hidalgo line 4) improve the deck structure on three (3) bridges 5. Restore the switch tie condition for five (5) separate turnouts 6) reduce highway gridlock, thus reducing air pollution, smell, noise and emissions. As a result of this project, the rail system and service performance will be improved, reducing derailment risks, locomotive and rail care utilization costs and increasing the efficiency of rvsc s crew time. The railroad will be able to accommodate and encourage the growth of large projects in the valley. Highway system benefits include improved highway safety due to reduced highway freight, and reduced highway pavement damage.