FRA announces grants for intercity rail, rail safety projects

FRA offers $73 million in grants for intercity rail, rail safety projects 

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is accepting applications for $73 million in grant funding for projects that can strengthen intercity passenger rail, support capital projects and boost safety initiatives that may include the implementation of positive train control, improved highway-rail grade crossings, and congestion mitigation.

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View notices of funding opportunity 

Restoration and Enhancement Grants
Program

Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety
Improvements

Funds will be dispersed through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program and the Restoration and Enhancement Grants program.

At least 25 percent, or $17 million, of CRISI’s $68 million in funding will be used for rural projects like highway-rail grade crossing improvement projects. Another $10 million is available for certain capital projects like rail line relocation and improvement or grade separation projects that contribute to the safe initiation or restoration of intercity passenger rail service. A portion of funding from the CRISI and Restoration and Enhancement programs—$2.2 million set-aside for Special Transportation Circumstances—is directed to grants for freight or intercity passenger rail capital projects in Alaska, South Dakota and Wyoming.

The funding, made available through new grant programs, is authorized by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act and funded through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017. These grants are expected to leverage private, state and local investments to boost a wide range of rail projects, including the potential for implementing positive train control, improving highway-rail grade crossings, mitigating congestion, repairing or replacing railroad assets, and enhancing intercity passenger rail transportation.