WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill made the following statement on the U.S. Department of Transportation's announcement that Missouri would be receiving $4,108,700 for two high-speed rail projects. $3,608,700 was allocated to construct a 10,000-foot third main track to improve access to the Gateway Multimodal Center Station in St. Louis and $500,000 was provided to create a comprehensive plan for the future of railroads in Missouri.

"These substantial funds from the Department of Transportation are an investment in the future of rail service in Missouri and lay the groundwork for high-speed rail throughout the Midwest. The new track will create significant service improvements in St. Louis and help connect millions of people throughout the region. This grant money further shows that Missouri projects can compete for and earn federal funding without relying on the earmark process," McCaskill said.

McCaskill has advocated for a high speed rail system across Missouri as a way to provide an efficient mode of transportation that connects many of the state's most traveled areas. Investment in high-speed rail will have both short-term and long-term economic benefits for the state.

In January, Missouri received $31 million to improve rail service between Kansas City and St. Louis. Additionally, the rail line connecting St. Louis and Chicago received a portion of the stimulus funding for improvements.

For more information about the projects receiving funding today, click here.

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