Notre Dame and South Bend-based Manufacturing Technology Inc. are getting $4.6 million in federal funding to develop a new way to weld railroad tracks.

The three-year project will test a low-force friction-welding process for continuous welded rail.

Notre Dame researchers and MTI will develop and test the technology, which could make rail repairs and installation more efficient.

Notre Dame professor Ed Kinzel says the project also gives students hands-on experience working on technology that could eventually be used in the rail industry.