Phoenix awarded up to $7 million in federal grants to improve 2 railroad crossings
Jun 3, 2022, 4:05 AM
(Twitter Photo/Mayor Kate Gallego)
(Twitter Photo/Mayor Kate Gallego)
PHOENIX – Two busy railroad crossings in Phoenix will undergo over $7 million in safety enhancements, funded by the federal government and help from the city.
The Biden administration announced Thursday the city was awarded grant money for the project and that Phoenix would kick in up to 30% match to improve the rail crossings at 19th Avenue and McDowell Road and 43rd Avenue and Camelback Road.
Work on the train crossings will add gate arms and signalization, widen the sidewalk and realign traffic signals, according to a press release.
“Very exciting news,” Mayor Kate Gallego told KTAR News 92.3 FM. “The rail-safety grant we received will help us fix some of the most complicated intersections in the city of Phoenix.”
Gallego pointed to the six-point intersection near the Arizona State Fairgrounds on McDowell and 19th Avenue and the confusing meet-up at Grand and 43rd avenues.
“We’ve had 30 collisions at these two crossings since 2008,” Gallego said. “It’s too many and we want to make sure we invest in safer crossings … and it’ll be much better looking.”
The bulk of the funding will come from the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grant program.
“We’re excited to be in a financially strong position where we can afford to make the match,” Gallego said of the city’s contribution.
Federal officials said investing in the projects will strengthen supply chains, reduce congestion and help “create good-paying jobs.”
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Taylor Kinnerup contributed to this report.
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