National Gateway to implement ARRA grant
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefThe Department of Transportation said Wednesday it and the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) have reached an agreement officially releasing $98 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to the National Gateway. Construction will begin on a key corridor of the National Gateway in the first quarter of 2011, driving immediate construction jobs and long-term benefits, DOT said.
(Earlier this week, ORDC hailed the looming agreement. “We couldn’t be happier with the partnerships we have established with CSX, the other states, and FHWA EFLD,” said ORDC Executive Director Matt Dietrich, referring to the Federal Highway Administration Eastern Federal Lands Division. “Without this team effort, this project could not become a reality.”)
On Wednesday, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood stated, “This Recovery Act money will help move goods more efficiently among the four states and strengthen the economy up and down the East Coast.” He added, “Moving more goods by rail means less congestion on our highways and reduced fuel emissions.” 
“Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our supporters, 2010 has been a tremendous year for the National Gateway,” said Louis Renjel, vice president of strategic infrastructure initiatives for CSX. “The ARRA grant enables us to schedule construction in the first quarter of 2011 that will deliver jobs and infrastructure to reduce congestion, support our nation’s ports and help grow the economy.”
The National Gateway is expected to cost $842 million and is being funded through an innovative public-private partnership. The public funds committed to the project are matched by more than $400 million in private funding.
