Southampton - Congressmen Tim Bishop (D-Southampton) and Steve Israel (D-Huntington) announced a federal grant awarded to Long Island business Norchem for the development of a high-performance concrete mixture that is suitable for freight, inter-city passenger and high-speed rail. The Federal Railway Administration selected Norchem's application as part of a proposal to develop higher-performing concrete mixes using silica fume to improve concrete tie performance and minimize the chance of train derailments.

Rep. Bishop said: "I commend Norchem for earning this federal grant to further develop its innovative and life-saving technology. I was pleased to partner with Congressman Israel to support this funding that will encourage job creation on Long Island and help America build a cutting-edge high speed rail infrastructure."

Rep. Israel said, "We need to modernize our nation's infrastructure to remain competitive with countries like China. The technologies that Norchem is developing will help us do that more efficiently. I was happy to work with Congressman Bishop to support their effort and want to congratulate Norchem on earning this federal grant."

Last year, Norchem joined the Silica Fume Association's proposal for funding from the Broad Agency Announcement for Research and Demonstration Projects Supporting the Development of High Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail Service. In July of 2011, Reps. Israel and Bishop sent a letter of support for the proposal for funding. The objective of the program was to solicit a variety of basic and applied technology research projects to advance the state of high speed rail and intercity passenger rail service.

The FRA selected Silica Fume's proposal to develop higher performing concrete mixes using silica fume to improve concrete tie performance for a contract award of $274, 245. The total project cost is $409,445 with a $135,200 non-federal cost share. This public-private partnership will support the domestic manufacturing of concrete rail ties. High performance concrete with silica fume have produced some of the world's strongest and most abrasion resistant concrete while also being economically and environmentally friendly.

The need for the development of this technology became obvious on April 3, 2005, when curved track running through the Columbia River Gorge in Washington derailed an Amtrak train at 60mph. The derailment occurred on a three-degree curve, injured 30 people, and resulted in $854,000 of property damage. The National Transportation Safety Board concluded that one cause was excessive abrasion of concrete crossties.