The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Rail Administration (FRA) is accepting applications for more than $2 billion in funding to support rail projects, the department said Monday.
The $2.04 billion is part of the FRA’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program that focuses on projects that modernize passenger and freight rail. Established in 2017 as part of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, CRISI has invested nearly $6 billion in building safer rail infrastructure since its inception.
The program supports projects that reduce congestion, jumpstart ridership growth on passenger railroads, improve regional railroad infrastructure and develop safety programs.
“This Administration is focused on improving passenger rail to help American families connect to jobs, education, and medical appointments, as well as fast tracking the movement of commerce,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said. “At USDOT, we are laser focused on ushering in the Golden Age of American rail.”
The FRA’s Notice of Funding Opportunity for the CRISI program outlines the application criteria. FRA will also support applicants with web-based training and live technical assistance.
“President Trump and Secretary Duffy are delivering a stronger railroad industry that will make transportation safer for families and more streamlined for companies moving freight on our rails,” FRA Administrator David Fink said. “From the suburbs to rural communities, we want to equip our partners with the resources they need to modernize our rail infrastructure.”