U.S. Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) accepted the applications for USD 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.
U.S. Transport Secretary Elaine Chao said that the grants are important resources in the Department’s ongoing efforts to strengthen country’s rail systems, deploy positive train control and improve highway-rail grade crossings.
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 also leverage private capital.
At least 25 percent, or USD 17 million, of CRISI’s USD 68 million in funding will be used for rural projects like highway-rail grade crossing improvement projects. Another USD 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—USD 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.
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