What did the pacific railway act grant?

The Pacific Railway Act, passed in 1862, granted land and financial incentives to railroad companies to facilitate the construction of a transcontinental railroad in the United States. It provided federal land along the proposed route, which could be sold to raise funds for the construction. The act aimed to promote westward expansion and enhance trade and communication across the country. Ultimately, it helped establish the First Transcontinental Railroad, connecting the eastern U.S. with the Pacific coast.