Relating to the railroad revolving loan and grant fund by making moneys available for certain projects and prioritizing grants and loans for certain purposes

The department of transportation (DOT) controls a railroad revolving loan and grant fund. Moneys in the fund are used to provide assistance for the restoration, conservation, improvement, and construction of railroad main lines, branch lines, switching yards, sidings, rail connections, intermodal yards, highway grade separations, and other railroad-related improvements, and for rail economic development projects that improve rail facilities, including the construction of branch lines, sidings, rail connections, intermodal yards, and other rail-related improvements that spur economic development and job growth. The DOT administers a program for the granting and administration of applicable loans and grants, and may establish a limit on the amount that may be awarded for any given project in order to maximize the use of the moneys in the fund. This bill adds transload facilities and railroad bridges to the list of projects for which a grant may be awarded or a loan may be made.20A(1)(b).