State and local officials broke ground Monday on a $1-million project that will revitalize a stretch of railroad track that they say will spur economic development in Hopedale and Milford.
The Grafton & Upton Railroad, which operates freight traffic on the 15-mile-long line, plans to add jobs and boost economic activity along the line. Last month, in fact, the railroad signed a contract with a major shipper of bulk goods that officials see as a boost for jobs and new economic activity around the railroad’s yard in Hopedale.
The rail project is being supported with a $1-million grant to the towns of Hopedale and Milford from the MassWorks Infrastructure Program, which supports local economic development projects, housing and job creation by providing funding for supporting infrastructure.
“A safe, efficient and accessible transportation system is essential to economic growth and opportunity in every region of the commonwealth,” state Transportation Secretary Richard A. Davey said in a statement. “I am pleased that we can play a role in improving this rail line.”
The railroad is in the middle of a renovation project for its track, which runs from North Grafton south to Milford, between CSX Corp. interchanges at each location.
“This public-private partnership will help finish what we started four years ago, the revitalization of a historic rail line to modern freight specifications,” said railroad owner Jon Delli Priscoli. “The end result will be more jobs and economic activity over the entire rail corridor.”
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