Seminole Gulf Railway track improvement project in Florida

The Seminole Gulf Railway track improvement project, as reported by Trains.com, is a $32.1 million effort to upgrade a section of the railroad in southwest Florida. The work targets an 11.5-mile segment between Fort Ogden and Cleveland, Fla., with the aim of allowing higher train speeds, handling heavier trains, and increasing overall capacity.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Seminole Gulf Railway track improvement project in detail

The construction program is scheduled to run for 18 months and centers on renewing 11.5 miles of trackage between Fort Ogden and Cleveland. As part of the project, crews will lay heavier rail and replace decayed timber ties with steel ties to reinforce the track structure.

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According to the railroad, this combination of heavier rail and steel ties is expected to improve operating reliability, reduce day-to-day maintenance needs, and help the line better withstand periods of extreme weather.

Funding package and partners

The financing plan for the railroad upgrade brings together federal, state, and railroad funds. As noted by Railway Track & Structures, the package includes a $9.6 million federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program grant and $4.3 million from the Florida Department of Transportation, while Seminole Gulf covers the remaining $18.2 million. Taken together, these contributions make up the full $32.1 million cost of renewing this southwest Florida line segment.

Capacity gains for a fast-growing region

Higher authorized speeds on the upgraded track are expected to raise line capacity and help the railroad keep up with rising demand in what it describes as one of the fastest growing regions in the nation. By reinforcing the track structure with heavier rail and steel ties, the company’s goal is to add capacity so the line can accommodate additional traffic and future growth in demand.

According to the railroad’s official website, Seminole Gulf Railway operates more than 100 miles of track in southwest Florida, including routes from Naples to Arcadia as well as trackage in Sarasota. The railroad hauls plywood, drywall, aggregates, propane, plastics, and recyclables, among other commodities that move over its network in southwest Florida.

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