The Federal Railroad Administration announced a notice of funding opportunity of USD 362 million grants for rail improvement projects.
This financial support is split into three pillars to improve rail infrastructure across the U.S.
USD 93.7 million representing 25% of the grant will be made available for rural projects, and USD 25 million will help the implementation of capital projects and engineering solutions targeting rail trespassing. For the intercity rail passenger development, USD 75 million will be made available for eligible projects that support the development of new intercity passenger rail service routes, including alignments for existing routes.
In addition, the funding opportunity incorporates non-CRISI funding to provide grants to help implement FRA’s National Strategy to Prevent Trespassing. More than USD 2 million will be available for grants to fund applicable law enforcement wages to undertake trespass enforcement activities and USD 207,000 will be provided for grants to fund targeted outreach campaigns to reduce the number of railroad-related suicides that involve trespassing.
The projects will also be evaluated on how well they address additional U.S. Administration priorities of fostering equitable economic strength, addressing climate change and resilience and modernising country’s transport infrastructure.
The funding is available through its Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grant Programme and is supporting projects that reduce congestion, improve short-line and regional rail infrastructure, relocate rail lines, enhance multi-modal connections and facilitate service integration between rail and other modes such as at ports or intermodal facilities.
“CRISI is an opportunity to invest in safety and economic progress across the rail networks that support and connect America. As the nation continues to recover from the pandemic, these projects will create jobs and improve communities. We expect applicants to address necessity, accountability, racial equity, and climate change,” FRA Deputy Administrator Amit Bose said.
CRISI is authorised by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act to assist in funding for rail improvement projects to deliver safe, efficient and reliable intercity passenger and freight rail transport services.
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