Baldwin Helps Secure Over $2 Million to Replace Deteriorating Bridges, Support Businesses that Rely on Rail

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced that the Fox Valley and Lake Superior Rail System (FOXY) will receive over $2 million to support the rehabilitation of three moveable swing bridges over the Fox River and improve railroad operations. The project will receive funding through the Fiscal Year 2022 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, which was funded by the Baldwin-supported Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Senator Baldwin also called on the U.S. Department of Transportation to fund the Wisconsin project. 

“Our infrastructure is the backbone of our economy, and I voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to repair our bridges and crumbling infrastructure and support our businesses who rely on rail to get their products to market,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’m excited to help bring home this investment to Wisconsin to update these century-old bridges that are critical to the movement of our Made in Wisconsin goods and keep our economy moving forward.”

Due to the continued deterioration of the century-old bridges, FOXY takes the bridges out of service for an undetermined period on a regular basis, leading to delays in rail and maritime freight shipments. The project will help FOXY increase load carrying capacity to meet the industry standard and improve railroad operations and connectivity of maritime transportation. 

“On behalf of Brown County, I’d like to express my gratitude for the CRISI grant funding and my appreciation of Senator Baldwin’s assistance to obtain it,” stated Brown County Planning Director Cole Runge. “The safe and efficient flow of commodities is essential to the growth and prosperity of our county, region, and state, and the CRISI funding will help ensure that reliable railservice continues to be available to existing and prospective businesses and industries.”

“Watco and the Fox Valley & Lake Superior Rail System (FOXY) are excited to receive a federal CRISI grant to help improve our railroad infrastructure in Brown and Outagamie Counties,” stated Ken Lucht, Assistant Vice-President of Government and Industry Relations for Watco. “This grant will enable Watco to make strategic investments in freight rail infrastructure that will help improve rail service throughout the region and help grow our economy.”  

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