TXGN receives $4.6 million grant to replace wooden rail bridges

The Texas and Gonzales Railway (TXGN) has received a $4,634,546 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements program that will be “a critical investment in the safety, infrastructure, and future growth of our railroad,” TXGN Director of Business Support & Development Joey Evans said.

“We at TXGN Railway are incredibly honored and grateful to receive the CRISI Grant,” Evans said. “I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the City of Gonzales for their steadfast support and to Congressman Cloud and Senator John Cornyn for their continued advocacy and commitment to enhancing our transportation infrastructure.”

The money will be used to replace seven open-deck timber-pile bridges which Evans said are particularly vulnerable to wildfires. TXGN will be responsible for a 30 percent match. This is the second CRISI grant TXGN has received.

“Replacing these bridges will not only improve the overall state-of-good repair for our railroad but will also allow us to handle heavier 286,000-pound railcars,” Evans said. “This infrastructure upgrade strengthens TXGN’s economic competitiveness, reduces our maintenance costs, and opens the door to business growth while potentially diverting more trucks off the highways. In turn, this will help fortify supply chains throughout Gonzales County and beyond.

“We look forward to the positive impact this project will bring to our community, and we remain dedicated to supporting Gonzales County’s growth and prosperity through safe, efficient, and resilient rail service.”

Chief Executive Officer Paul Treangen of TNW, the parent company for TXGN, said “These private-public investments significantly speed up the process of improving the rail network for Texas. The awarded grants will enhance the safe movement of trains, improve service cycle times, and help create seamless rail service between our short line railroads and connections with BNSF and UP. Our customers and communities benefit from competitive transportation options and regional economic development, creating jobs and an increased tax base.”

Since 1992, TXGN has been providing rail transport, storage and logistics operations for companies in the heart of Texas and is one of two TNW One-Stop Supercenters for railcar services. Located midway between Gonzales and Harwood off U.S. I-10, TXGN owns and/or manages 12 lead miles of track between Harwood and Gonzales, and approximately 67 miles of storage and loop track.

TXGN interchanges with the Union Pacific Railroad and handles several thousand cars carrying energy-related products, grain and animal feed meals, clay/bentonite and raw and finished heavy metal products.