OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority will receive up to $800,000 in federal funding to assist with railroad equipment upgrades.

The funding will assist OBPA in purchasing an underbelly conveyor to offload railcars, two front-end loaders and two conveyors to load vessels.

"This grant is an essential part of Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program for multimodal infrastructure vital to the economy of our region at the Port of Ogdensburg," said Wade A. Davis, Executive Director, Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority, "Through the tireless advocacy of Senators Schumer, Gillibrand and Congresswoman Stefanik this key project will now become a reality and the Authority is very thankful for their advocacy efforts as this award will increase the ability of the port to handle new products even more efficiently."

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration announced the recipients of more than $326 million in grant funds under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program and the Special Transportation Circumstances Program, for a wide variety of state and local railroad infrastructure projects. The grants will fund 45 projects in 29 states.

“These investments in intercity passenger and freight rail will benefit surrounding communities, make grade crossings safer and improve service reliability,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

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 funds — more than $118 million — were awarded to rural projects.

“These are the partnerships that help rural and urban communities thrive economically,” said FRA Administrator Ronald Batory. “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.”