The recipient, timber rock railroad (tibr), is a vital connector for rural louisiana and texas businesses, moving freight regionally and interchanging with bnsf railway in kirbyville, texas

The Federal Railroad Administration awarded Timber Rock Railroad, L.L.C., $50 million on October 1, 2025, under the Project Grant assistance type to fund rehabilitation and replacement of approximately 29 bridges, replacement of railroad track, tie installation, and resurfacing along the railroad corridor from Derider, Louisiana, to Kirbyville, Texas, where the railroad interchanges with BNSF Railway.

The project encompasses project development, final design, and construction phases. Work will upgrade track structure and substructure—including rail, ties, ballast, switches, and bridges—to increase safety standards, eliminate operating capacity inefficiencies, and enhance the railroad's ability to accommodate heavier railcars and hazmat loads. TIBR serves as a vital regional freight connector for rural Louisiana and Texas businesses. The upgrades will improve safety, regional economic vitality, innovation, and performance across the short line network and enhance resiliency for this lifeline connecting Louisiana and Texas industry.

Performance is scheduled through August 30, 2029, with place of performance in the United States.

The project funds project development, final design, and construction and including rehabilitation or replacement of approximately 29 bridges as well as replacement of railroad track, tie installation, and resurfacing along the railroad from derider, LA, to kirbyville, TX. The project will improve and enhance track infrastructure to increase safety standards, eliminate operating capacity inefficiencies, and increase resiliency on the tibr, a lifeline for rural industry connecting louisiana and texas. The recipients upgrades to track structure and substructure (including rail, ties, ballast, switches, and bridges) will allow the tibr to accommodate stress caused by transporting heavier railcars and hazmat loads. The project will improve and enhance the short line network and will have positive impacts on safety, regional economic vitality, innovation, and performance.