Pacific Railway Act

The Pacific Railway Act, enacted in 1862, authorized the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad across the United States. It provided government land and funding to encourage the linking of the eastern U.S. with the Pacific Coast, facilitating faster transportation, commerce, and settlement. The act supported the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads, enabling them to build the railway by granting land and financial incentives. This monumental project connected distant regions, boosted economic growth, and played a key role in shaping the nation's expansion and development.