CNCounty News

FRA announces grants for intercity rail, rail safety projects

Image of 16925896116_50e9d42e05_o.jpg

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.

Learn More

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.

Attachments

Related News

Image of Capitol-night-traffic.jpg
Advocacy

NACo joins letter calling on U.S. House to vote on surface transportation legislation

On June 15, NACo joined a letter calling on the U.S. House of Representatives to hold a floor vote on the Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250th (BUILD America 250) Act (H.R. 8870). The bill would reauthorize and reorganize federal highway and surface transportation programs for 5 years. 

Lucas County, Ohio Engineer Mike Pniewski speaks to Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Mich.) May 19 during the Business Roundtable’s Infrastructure Week Signature Event in Washington, D.C. Photo by Charlie Ban
County News

BUILD America 250 Act looks good for county bridge funding prospects

Counties stand to receive a healthy infusion of funding to address bridges under the surface transportation bill, BUILD America 250 Act.

bike
Press Release

Research Reveals National Road Funding Crisis as County Leaders Urge Congressional Action

Research released today by the National Association of Counties (NACo) underscores a national road funding crisis and the large role counties play in the U.S. transportation network, as infrastructure investment needs outpace available revenue due to aging infrastructure, rising construction costs and weakened purchasing power. The American Society of Civil Engineers projects a $684 billion national funding shortfall for roads over the next decade, of which counties own a significant share.