AMERICUS, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Heart of Georgia Railroad (HOG), a short line freight railroad operating across the state of Georgia on 219 miles of track leased from the Georgia Department of Transportation, thanks all those who supported the federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program grant awarded to Georgia DOT last week.
The $820,000 grant will enable the HOG to upgrade track and restore service on two miles of rail line in Nunez, Ga.
“This is another step to restore rail-freight service along the entire HOG line between Midvale and Preston, Georgia,” said Andy Chunko, the railroad’s president. “We greatly appreciate the commitment from the State of Georgia, state legislators and communities along the line to continue this work and look forward to the day that HOG can provide customers along the entire corridor with competitive access to the national rail freight network.”
“These are the partnerships that help rural and urban communities thrive economically,” said Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Ronald Batory in the June 12 announcement of the awards. “The participation of multiple partners demonstrates the importance of these funds and tells us they will be a key asset in improving safety for communities and railroads around the country.”
The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act authorized the CRISI Program, which funds a wide range of projects that improve the safety, efficiency and reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail systems. Over one-third of the $326 million in grant funds were awarded to rural projects such as those in Georgia.
About HOG
Heart of Georgia Railroad, Inc., a subsidiary of Genesee & Wyoming Inc., runs from Preston to Midville, Ga., transporting freight including automotive parts, crossties, fertilizer, intermodal, lumber and paperboard. It interchanges with CSX at Cordele, Ga.; Georgia Central Railway at Vidalia, Ga.; Georgia Southwestern Railroad and Norfolk Southern Railway at Americus; and the Georgia Southern Railway at Midville, Ga. Learn more at www.gwrr.com/hog
