WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity that makes available more than $1.1 billion in Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program funding.
As the only competitive discretionary grant program dedicated to improving railroad crossings’ safety and efficiency, the RCE Program invests in projects that construct grade separations, upgrade safety devices at crossings, or close at-grade crossings where roads and train tracks intersect.
FRA officials said addressing collisions and blockages at grade crossings has been a top priority for the agency as growing train lengths lead to more frequent and longer blocked crossings – and the funding announced today will improve safety and access to communities separated by rail crossings.
Project applications will be evaluated based on factors such as whether they improve safety, increase community connectivity, enhance access to emergency services, improve the mobility of goods, strengthen supply chains, and reduce noise. At least 20 percent of RCE Program funding — roughly $230 million this round — will also be set aside for projects located in rural communities or on Tribal lands, and around $38 million will be available to fund planning projects.
