Report: Road Funds Could Go to Rails

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Taking a bigger bite from highway trust funds for rail projects is one way Congress could relieve freight rail bottlenecks at major intermodal hubs, according to a new report by the Congressional Research Service.

CRS, the research arm of Congress, said two existing highway-fund programs could be expanded to allow more funding of rail projects. Those programs are aimed at reducing truck emissions with intermodal rail links in congested areas and eliminating rail grade crossings in border or high-traffic freight lanes.

An American Trucking Associations official said it is unfair for railroads to dip into a pool of funds collected from highway users with the understanding that it goes to improve roads.

For the full story, see the Sept. 2 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.