Peters & Stabenow Announce More Than $20 Million in Federal Funding to Replace the Manistee River Bridge in Manton

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) announced that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is awarding the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) $20,385,000 in federal funding to replace the Manistee River Bridge in Manton. The replacement project will increase the weight capacity of the bridge and preserve an important rail crossing that links Northern Michigan to global shipping partners. Funding for the project is provided through the FRA’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, which was funded through the bipartisan infrastructure law the Senators helped enact.

“Investments in our rail infrastructure are critical for local communities and to spur economic growth,” said Senator Peters. “Replacement of the Manistee Bridge will create jobs, improve rail safety, and provide our shipping companies with a more efficient rail connection to partners both regionally and globally.”

“Because of our passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, we are able to invest in critical infrastructure like the Manistee River bridge that has been in need of upgrades for many years.  This investment is especially important because it will create jobs and bolster economic growth across northern Michigan communities,” said Senator Stabenow. 

“The Michigan Department of Transportation is pleased to be awarded this CRISI grant to replace the Manistee River railroad bridge that was built in 1888 and is well past its useful life,” said State Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich, P.E. “Replacing this structure will ensure today’s heavier freight railroad cars will be able to cross the bridge and that there will be no disruptions to northern Michigan supply chains.”

The CRISI grant program invests in railroad infrastructure projects that improve safety, efficiency and support economic development in communities across the country. More information about the CRISI grant program can be found here.

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