# Federal Grant Funds Black Belt Rail Upgrades

A $27 million federal CRISI grant will fund project development, final design, and construction to modernize the Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway and Eastern Alabama Railway in Alabama and Mississippi. Planned work includes track, signaling, and communications upgrades and improvements to 34 at-grade crossings. The announcement identifies no award recipient, open solicitation, or procurement contact, so it signals forthcoming rail infrastructure and equipment needs rather than an opportunity currently available for bids.

- Contractors in rail construction, signaling, communications, and crossing systems may find future subcontracting or procurement opportunities as the work advances from design into construction.
- The grant builds on $15.8 million in earlier rail grants for the Black Belt in 2023, indicating continued investment in the region’s rail infrastructure.
- Because no solicitation or procurement contact is identified, companies cannot rely on this announcement alone to submit offers; it provides project scope and geography for business planning.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Transportation, Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 19, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. House of Representatives (House)

### Key Quotes
> I am thrilled to announce that we have secured $27 million in federal funding to modernize the Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway. That means safer, more efficient rail service and more job opportunities for communities across the Black Belt. This investment builds on the $15.8 million in rail grants that we secured for the Black Belt in 2023, and it will be especially beneficial for Monroeville, Pine Hill, Linden, Demopolis, Boligee, and Pickensville.
> — Terri Sewell, U.S. Representative

### Sources
- [Sewell announces $27M grant to modernize rural rail infrastructure in the Black Belt](https://www.alreporter.com/2026/10/19/sewell-announces-27m-grant-to-modernize-rural-rail-infrastructure-in-the-black-belt) - Alabama Political Reporter