Mittal realigns tracks thanks to RTAP grant

Beginning with a 2013 Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) grant, the Mittal Steel USA Railways began a multiple phase approach to improving operations and safety of the extensive railroad network located within the Arcelor Mittal Steel plant located in Steelton.

When initially constructed, the railroad track standards accommodated 52-foot, 70-ton freight cars; these freight cars have grown to 95-foot, 110-ton cars. The larger freight cars place an increasing demand on operations and switching logistics. Mittal Steel USA Railways was able to rehabilitate and reconfigure (i.e., re-align) railroad track and turnouts to accommodate the larger freight cars with the help of a 2015 RTAP grant from the Department of Transportation. These improvements have contributed to more efficient operations (i.e., limited shifting moves, greater clearances, safer operations, etc.), which has translated into the railroad reporting fewer derailments (seven vs. 29 being annually reported prior to 2013) after completion of the 2013 RTAP and 2015 RTAP grants.