FRA Issues $2.3B in CRISI Grants to 105 Rail Projects

October 23, 2026

The Federal Railroad Administration recently issued $2.3 billion worth of grants to 105 freight and passenger rail projects in 45 states and the District of Columbia via the agency’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements or CRISI program.

[Above photo by OmniTRAX]

The agency noted a select number of those 105 projects will also receive more than $1.9 billion in complementary non-federal funding from state, local, and private partners.

FRA’s David Fink at left. Photo by FRA.

“USDOT is investing in rail projects that will unleash local economies and deliver real safety upgrades,” said Sean Duffy, USDOT secretary, in a statement. “From improving short line infrastructure and port connections so products can get where they need to enhancing fencing along trespassing hotspots, this package will tangibly improve lives for millions of Americans.”

“These funds will provide short line railroads across the country with the resources they need to make long overdue improvements to their day-to-day operations,” added David Fink, FRA administrator. “These thoughtful, targeted investments will reduce congestion and improve operations.”

Several of the projects receiving CRISI funding are headed by state departments of transportation:

  • The Georgia Department of Transportation received $12.4 million for the final phase of the Heart of Georgia & Georgia Southwestern Rail Corridor improvement project. That project includes track rehabilitation and improvement on five short line subdivisions in central and southwestern Georgia, along with resurfacing 40 at-grade crossings, renewing two turnouts, and installing trespasser prevention messages. Georgia DOT will contribute a 30 percent non-federal cost share to the project, which may include funding from the Georgia Southwestern Rail.
  • The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development received $5.8 million for the Baton Rouge-New Orleans Rail Bridge replacement project, which includes the replacement of five aging timber pile trestle railroad bridges with steel equalizer pipe culvert structures in St. James and St. Charles Parishes. The Louisiana DOTD will contribute a 30 percent non-federal cost share to the project, which may include funding from the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited railroad.
  • The Maine Department of Transportation received $37 million for the Northern Aroostook Rail Gateway modernization and safety project, which includes the rehabilitation of approximately 90 miles of railroad line in Northern Maine. Maine DOT will contribute a 20 percent non-federal cost share, which may include funding from the Maine Northern Railway and Eastern Maine Railway.
  • The Massachusetts Department of Transportation received $130 million for the Springfield Rail Hub modernization project, which includes track improvements, eliminating a rail chokepoint, and reducing conflicts between freight and passenger rail traffic. MassDOT will contribute a 20 percent non-federal cost share to this project.
  • The Michigan Department of Transportation received $32 million for the Muskegon River Bridge replacement project, which seeks to restore the structure to a state of good repair to support growing freight rail demand. Michigan DOT will contribute a 30 percent non-federal cost share to this project.
  • The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) received $60.3 million for the Hoosick-Bennington-Rutland CWR upgrade project that will replace rail, realign track, and upgrade ties, ballast, turnouts, and 22 at-grade crossings. VTrans will contribute a 20 percent non-federal cost share to this project.
  • The West Virginia Department of Transportation received $9.05 million for the West Virginia South Branch Valley railroad track replacement project, which includes the replacement of approximately 10 miles of track in the cities of Petersburg, Romney, Moorefield, and Green Spring. West Virginia DOT will contribute a 20 percent non-federal cost share to this project, which may include funding from OmniTRAX, a private transportation and rail-management holding company based in Denver.
  • The Wisconsin Department of Transportation received $218 million for the Hiawatha West project to make passenger, freight, and safety improvements, as well as extend the existing Chicago–Milwaukee Hiawatha passenger rail service to Waukesha, Jefferson, and Dane counties in Wisconsin. The project will also rehabilitate and expand the capacity of track, bridges, and crossings, and construct new intercity passenger rail stations. Wisconsin DOT will contribute a 20 percent non-federal cost share, which may include funding from the cities of Watertown and Madison.
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