Granite Construction Inc., one of the nation’s largest infrastructure contractors, announced the award of a $41 million rail relocation project by the City of Sacramento.

Granite booked the project into its first quarter 2011 backlog. Located in downtown Sacramento, the rail yards project includes the relocation of about 2.3 miles of heavy rail track, major utility infrastructure and site improvements, construction of multiple access tunnels for pedestrians and service vehicles as well as new passenger tracks and platforms.

The project is part of a 245-acre redevelopment effort designed to improve connectivity in downtown Sacramento in preparation for future expansion plans including residential and commercial development. Work is estimated to begin in May 2011 and be completed by December 2012.