This article has been reprinted from USDA's Oct. 1, 2020 Grain Transportation Report.
On September 16, the U.S Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the award of $1 billion in grants to 70 infrastructure projects in 44 states.
These include barge loading and rail upgrades for three ports under the St. Louis Bi-State Regional Ports Improvement Project.
With such upgrades as new grain storage, conveyer equipment, and additional railroad track, the facilities will expand capacity, reduce wait times, and attract more traffic.
Known as Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary grants, the grants fund planning and capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure.
To better address the needs of rural America, 50 percent of BUILD Transportation grant funding will be awarded to projects that benefit rural communities.