Federal Grant Award Summary

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) awarded Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) a $34.5 million Project Grant on June 1, 2025, under the National Infrastructure Investments program (CFDA 20.933) to partially reconstruct Norfolk Southern's Grand River Bridge in Brunswick, Missouri. The project involves replacing the main channel crossing with a ballast-deck steel superstructure and removing substructure units to raise the low-chord elevation by approximately 5 feet or more. These modifications will significantly increase the hydraulic opening of the bridge, enabling improved water flow capacity and reducing infrastructure vulnerability to debris accumulation and structural damage.

The reconstruction addresses persistent operational challenges posed by large timber drift accumulations transported by the river, which currently necessitate costly and dangerous removal efforts to mitigate lateral loading and fire hazards. In extreme events, unmanageable drift buildup has historically caused structural damage or failure. By enhancing the bridge's hydraulic capacity and clearance, the project will substantially reduce or eliminate these recurring issues, improving both operational safety and long-term infrastructure reliability. The work is scheduled for completion by March 31, 2028.