FRA awards more than $2.4B in rail improvement grants

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The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently awarded 122 rail improvement projects in 41 states and Washington, D.C., more than $2.4 billion in Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program grants.

The program funds rail safety and service improvements such as replacing or rehabilitating aging bridges, upgrading track, adding modern locomotives to fleets, and expanding rail connections at ports.

“Under the Biden-Harris Administration and through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, FRA is investing more than ever in communities nationwide, reversing a half-century of federal underinvestment in America’s rail network and delivering the world-class rail our citizens deserve,” FRA Administrator Amit Bose said. “Today’s CRISI grants will enhance rail safety, better connect towns, cities, and ports, introduce more environmentally friendly locomotives, support the current rail workforce, and provide workforce development opportunities essential to the future of our industry and the national economy.”

Awardees include:

Illinois was awarded more than $157 million for the Springfield Rail Improvements Project Final Usable Segment: Phase VIb: North Grand Ave. and IIIc: Multimodal Transportation Center Project.

North Carolina was awarded more than $105.5 million for the North Carolina Railroad Company Carolinian and Piedmont Passenger and Freight Improvements Project.

Michigan was awarded more than $67 million for RECHARGED – Realizing Environmental Changes Happening Around Railroads Generating Equitable Development.