The Federal Railroad Administration is making $1.1 billion available to help improve safety infrastructure at railroad crossings nationwide via its Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program.
[Above photo by FRA]
That funding is available via a notice of funding opportunity or NOFO and applications are due by June 8.
Every year, FRA said more than 2,000 incidents and 300 fatalities occur at railroad crossings nationwide. To reduce those numbers, the agency said this funding will help improve rail crossing safety by building overpasses or underpasses so cars and trains never meet; upgrading safety technology at crossings; relocating tracks in order to close a grade crossing; and educating Americans on how to cross train tracks safely.
[Editor’s note: The FRA recently hosted its first Rail Tech Summit to highlight innovative technologies and tools that will help rail workers move families and freight across America more safely and efficiently.]
“This administration is always working towards improving the safety of our transportation networks, including our vital rail network that keeps our economy humming,” said Sean Duffy, secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, in a statement.
“Our investment improves the resilience of our infrastructure and protects workers and travelers alike utilizing American roads,” he added.
“From installing automated equipment to eliminating unsafe crossings, we are committed to delivering a safer railroad system for Americans,” noted David Fink, FRA administrator.
