The opportunity?
Drexel Building Supply is a building materials manufacturer and supplier for the construction industry with eight locations across Wisconsin, including a manufacturing facility in the Village of Wrightstown. The company relies on the transportation network to move materials and products to locations across the state and beyond. Increased transportation efficiency to keeps the cost of its goods competitive.
What is the “fix,” and how does it benefit the community?
Wrightstown will construct 4,172 feet of industry track, extending an existing track to Drexel Building Supply. Drexel will then be able to ship lumber to the facility by rail instead of truck, resulting in transportation cost savings of more than $800,000 per year after five years. By shifting transportation from trucks to rail, the project will also help decrease heavy truck traffic on local roads, improving safety and reducing wear on road infrastructure.
What makes the investment possible?
WisDOT awarded the Village of Wrightstown $2.4 million under the Freight Railroad Infrastructure Improvement Program (FRIIP) grants. According to the WisDOT website, FRIIP loans cover up to 100% of the cost of rail projects that connect an industry to the national railroad system, improve transportation efficiency, safety, and intermodal freight movement, accomplish line rehabilitation, and develop the economy.