Virginia DRPT Awards ‘Truck Diversion’ Grants
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief
Virginia DRPT photo.
The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) has awarded Rail Industrial Access Program grants to SharpTech USA LLC, Queen City Logistics Center LLC and Norfolk Terminal LP to rehabilitate existing or construct new track access to their facilities for the purpose of promoting truck diversion and connecting new or expanding businesses to the freight railroad network. The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) approved the grants. The maximum award per project is $750,000.
DRPT said it administers Rail Industrial Access Program grants to “contribute to the overall efficiency and sustainability of the transportation network.”
SharpTech USA LLC ( Accomack County, on Virginia’s Eastern Shore) “is a leading provider of high-quality-grade glycols and custom blending systems,” DRPT said. “With a focus on importing raw materials and exporting finished products, SharpTech aims to enhance its rail infrastructure through track rehabilitation.” The company will receive $450,000 in grant funding with a total public/private investment of $700,000.”
Queen City Logistics Center LLC (Staunton) specializes in diesel exhaust fluid blending and “aims to import raw materials for blending and distribution to Pilot Company Stores,” DRPT said. The project includes construction of 60 feet of new track and rehabilitation of 115 feet. Queen City Logistics Center will receive $301,000 in grant funding with a total public/private investment of $2.9 million.
Norfolk Terminal LP (Hampton Roads), a transload and warehousing facility, focuses on exporting plastics/PVC through the Port of Virginia. To enhance their rail capabilities, Norfolk Terminal plans to construct 1,524 feet of new track. The company will receive a $560,000 grant with a total public/private investment of $59.9 million.
![“Thanks to Secretary Pete [Buttigieg], USDOT, the Federal Railroad Administration and all our partners for making the S-Line passenger rail a reality!!” NCDOT Secretary Joey Hopkins said in a July 1 LinkedIn post. “Thanks to the hard work of our NCDOT team we broke ground on the first construction project in the Raleigh to Wake Forest segment, a $19M project to grade separate Durant Road 7 months after the grant announcement!!” (Photograph Courtesy of Joey Hopkins)](https://www.railwayage.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/slinelead-315x168.png)
