MassDOT awarded five grants totaling just over $2 million for industrial rail projects as part of the 2015 Industrial Rail Access Program (IRAP). Among the grants awarded: $383,913 to Borden & Remington Corp. for Mass Coastal RR rail siding rehab and expansion, safety and unloading dock improvements in Fall River.

The IRAP funding for the five projects is being matched by more than $1.7 million in private sector funds for a total $3.7 million investment in freight rail improvements in the third year of the IRAP program.

Created as part of the 2012 Transportation Bond Bill, IRAP provides grants to railroads, rail shippers and municipalities that identify a public benefit gained through improved rail transportation usage or economic growth that would be realized through improved access to rail assets.

“The IRAP program is an example of government working with the private sector to solve a problem. We are glad to have the opportunity to improve rail access and support industrial uses. It is truly a “win-win,” said Stephanie Pollack, secretary of transportation.

The five 2015 IRAP recipients represent a variety of projects meeting the program objective of improving the rail network while boosting economic growth. Recipients and the state grant awarded are as follows:

• Borden & Remington Corp. — $383,910: Fall River — Mass Coastal RR rail siding rehab & expansion, safety and unloading dock improvements.

• Catania Spagna —$500,000: Ayer — Pan Am Railways rail siding track expansion and unloading improvements.

• Pioneer Valley Railroad — $175,045: Westfield — Pioneer Valley RR installation of new rail siding at Railroad Distribution Services facility.

• MWRA — Fore River Railroad Corp. — $500,000: Quincy — Fore River Railroad mainline track realignment/capacity improvements at Fore River Shipyard.

• Providence & Worcester Railroad — $455,691: Worcester — P&W Railroad Southbridge Street Yard Wye Track.

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