Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements

 

To fund projects that improve the safety, efficiency, and/or reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail systems.

Active 20.325 Federal Railroad Administration, Department of Transportation B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2018 FRA received applications requesting FY 2017 CRISI funds. For the FY 2018 CRISI-PTC set-aside, FRA announced the selection of 28 projects totaling $203.7 million.
Fiscal Year 2019 FRA announced the selection of 18 FY 2017 CRISI projects ($56.9 million), 43 FY 2018 CRISI projects ($324 million), and 11 FY 2018 CRISI PTC set-aside projects ($46,.3 million). These intercity passenger and freight rail projects will benefit surrounding communities, make grade crossings safer, and improve service reliability.
Fiscal Year 2020 FRA announced the recipients of $320.6 million in grant funds under the CRISI program for a wide variety of state and local railroad infrastructure projects. The grants fund 50 projects in 29 states. FRA obligated 46 grants for $207 million from previous year NOFOs. These intercity passenger and freight rail projects will benefit surrounding communities, make grade crossings safer, and improve service reliability.
Fiscal Year 2021 In FY 2021, FRA has obligated 47 grants for over $209 million from previous year NOFOs. Projects were obligated in FY 21 that: 1. build new high-speed rail corridors that expand and fundamentally improve passenger transportation in the geographic regions they serve; 2. upgrade existing intercity passenger rail corridors to improve reliability, speed, and frequency of existing services; and 3. lay the groundwork for future high-speed rail services through corridor and state planning efforts. FRA is published the FY 2021 Notice of Funding Opportunity for an estimated $361 million.
Fiscal Year 2022 In FY 2022, FRA announced the selection of $368 million in funding for 46 projects in 32 States and the District of Columbia from the FY 2021 Notice of Funding Opportunity. FRA anticipates publishing the FY 2022 Notice of Funding Opportunity in late FY 2022. FRA has obligated 21 grants for over $198 million and continues to obligate additional selections from all previous year NOFOs as environmental reviews and other prerequisites are completed.
Fiscal Year 2023 In FY 2023, FRA anticipates announcing selected projects from the FY 2022 Notice of Funding Opportunity and publishing a Notice of Funding Opportunity making FY 2023 funds available. FRA will continue to obligate selections from all previous year NOFOs as environmental reviews and other prerequisites are completed. Section 11301 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) (2015), Public Law 114-94, 49 U.S.C. 22907
Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act, Public Law 117-58, 49 US Code 22907
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017, Div. K, Tit. I, Public Law 115-31
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, Div. L, Tit. I, Public Law 115-141
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019, Div. G, Tit. I, Public Law 116-6
Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, Div. H, Tit. I, Public Law 116-94
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Div. L, Tit. I, Public Law 116-260
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, Div. L, Tit. I, Public Law 117-103 Interstate, Public nonprofit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education), Other public institution/organization, Profit organization, State (1) A State. (2) A group of States. (3) An Interstate Compact. (4) A public agency or publicly chartered authority established by 1 or more States. (5) A political subdivision of a State. (6) Amtrak or another rail carrier that provides intercity rail passenger transportation (7) A Class II railroad or Class III railroad (8) Any rail carrier or rail equipment manufacturer in partnership with at least 1 of the entities in (1) through (5). (9) The Transportation Research Board and any entity with which it contracts in the development of rail-related research, including cooperative research programs. (10) A University transportation center engaged in rail-related research. (11) A non-profit labor organization representing a class or craft of employees of rail carriers or rail carrier contractors. (1) A State. (2) A group of States. (3) An Interstate Compact. (4) A public agency or publicly chartered authority established by 1 or more States. (5) A political subdivision of a State. (6) Amtrak or another rail carrier that provides intercity rail passenger transportation (7) A Class II railroad or Class III railroad (8) Any rail carrier or rail equipment manufacturer in partnership with at least 1 of the entities in (1) through (5). (9) The Transportation Research Board and any entity with which it contracts in the development of rail-related research, including cooperative research programs. (10) A University transportation center engaged in rail-related research. SF424 (Application for Federal Assistance); SF 424A - Budget Information for Non-Construction or SF 424C Budget Information for Construction; SF 424B - Assurances for Non-Construction or SF 424D - Assurances for Construction; and FRA's Additional Assurances and Certifications. Other documents may be required as pre-requisites to funding based on program type; documentation demonstrating applicant eligibility (for applicants other than States); National Environmental Policy Act documentation for construction projects and service development programs; program-specific Assurances and Certifications; planning and engineering documentation. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program. Preapplication coordination is required. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Required documents for an application package are: Project Narrative, Statement of Work, Benefit-Cost Analysis, Environmental Compliance Documentation, SF424 - Application for Federal Assistance, SF 424C - Budget Information for Construction, or, for an equipment procurement project without any construction costs, or SF 424A - Budget Information for Non-Construction, SF 424D - Assurances for Construction, or, for an equipment procurement project without any construction costs, or SF 424B - Assurances for Non-Construction, and FRA's Additional Assurances and Certifications. Applications selected for funding will be announced in a press release and on FRA's website after the application review period. FRA will contact applicants with successful applications after announcement with information and instructions about the award process. This notification is not an authorization to begin proposed project activities. A formal grant agreement or cooperative agreement signed by both the grantee and the FRA, including an approved scope, schedule, and budget, is required before the award is considered complete. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines FRA is committed to responding to applicants in a reasonable and timely manner. Response times will vary based on size, scope, complexity and volume of applications. Not applicable. Not applicable. FRA will give preference to: o Projects where the Federal share of total project costs is 50 percent or less. Projects where the proposed non-Federal share is comprised of more than one source including private sources, demonstrated broad participation by affected stakeholders. Projects where the net benefits of the grant funds are maximized considering the benefit-cost analysis, including anticipated private and public benefits relative to the costs of the proposed project, and factoring in the other considerations described below. After applying the above preferences, FRA will take in account the key Departmental priorities. Other considerations include: the degree to which the proposed project's business plan considers potential private sector participation in the financing, construction, or operation of the project.; the recipient's past performance in developing and delivering similar projects, and previous financial contributions; whether the recipient has or will have the legal, (1) Deployment of railroad safety technology, including positive train control and rail integrity inspection systems. (2) A capital project as defined in section 24401(2), except that a project shall not be required to be in a State rail plan developed under chapter 227. (3) A capital project identified by the Secretary as being necessary to address congestion challenges affecting rail service. (4) A capital project identified by the Secretary as being necessary to reduce congestion and facilitate ridership growth in intercity passenger rail transportation along heavily traveled rail corridors. (5) A highway-rail grade crossing improvement project, including installation, repair, or improvement of grade separations, railroad crossing signals, gates, and related technologies, highway traffic signalization, highway lighting and crossing approach signage, roadway improvements such as medians or other barriers, railroad crossing panels and surfaces, and safety engineering improvements to reduce risk in quiet zones or potential quiet zones. (6) A rail line relocation and improvement project. (7) A capital project to improve short-line or regional railroad infrastructure. (8) The preparation of regional rail and corridor service development plans and corresponding environmental analyses. (9) Any project that the Secretary considers necessary to enhance multimodal connections or facilitate service integration between rail service and other modes, including between intercity rail passenger transportation and intercity bus service or commercial air service. (10) The development and implementation of a safety program or institute designed to improve rail safety. (11) Any research that the Secretary considers necessary to advance any particular aspect of rail related capital, operations, or safety improvements; and (12) Workforce development and training activities, coordinated to the extent practicable with the existing local training programs supported by the Department of Transportation, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Education. ~96% discretionary funds (where 25% of these funds are allocated to rural areas) in FY20. 1% takedown. Performance Reports: Grant recipients will be monitored periodically by FRA to ensure that the project goals, objectives, performance requirements, timelines, milestones, budgets, and other related program criteria are being met. Monitoring may include onsite visits or detailed, interactive desk reviews. In addition, grantees are provided with intensive technical assistance from grants staff on a daily basis. No additional requirements. During the course of its activities under a grant agreement and for three years thereafter, the applicant must agree to retain intact and to provide any data, documents, reports, records, contracts, and supporting materials relating to its performance under the agreement as FRA may require. Reporting and record-keeping requirements are set forth in 2 C.F.R. Part 200 for private non-profit and for-profit Grantees. Closeout does not alter these requirements. Statutory Formula: Public Law 114-94 (Portion of CRISI funding for Special Transportation Circumstances Grants.)

Matching is voluntary. 20%. The Federal share of total project costs under this section shall not exceed 80 percent.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. No restriction on period of time the assistance normally is available. Assistance is awarded upon request for reimbursement Funding is obligated through cooperative agreements or grants, and outlays occur as reimbursement. Funding will only be obligated and disbursed as milestones are achieved. None/Not specified. Matthew Lorah
Chief, Grant & Loan Program Development Division,
Office of Rail Program Development
1200 New Jersey Ave SE
Washington, DC 20590 US
Matthew.Lorah@dot.gov
Phone: (202) 579-1074 https://railroads.dot.gov 69-2811-0-1-401 (Project Grants) FY 22$274,192,258.00; FY 23 est $181,403,252.00; FY 24 est $793,000,000.00; FY 21$209,220,830.00; FY 20$209,978,877.00; FY 19$33,095,362.00; FY 18$0.00; FY 17$0.00; FY 16$0.00; - Grants within these programs ranged from $15,000, to $47,551,484 with an average of $5,777,665. Grants within these programs ranged from $15,000, to $47,551,484 with an average of $5,777,665. Recipients of funds must comply with all applicable requirements of Federal law, including, without limitation, the Constitution of the United States; the conditions of performance, nondiscrimination requirements, and other assurances made applicable to the award of funds in accordance with regulations of the Department of Transportation; and applicable Federal financial assistance and contracting principles promulgated by the Office of Management and Budget. In complying with these requirements, recipients, in particular, must ensure that no concession agreements are denied or other contracting decisions made on the basis of speech or other activities protected by the First Amendment. If the Department determines that a recipient has failed to comply with applicable Federal requirements, the Department may terminate the award of funds and disallow previously incurred costs, requiring the recipient to reimburse any expended award funds. Examples of administrative and national policy requirements include: 2 CFR Part 200; procurement standards; compliance with Federal civil rights laws and regulations; requirements for disadvantaged business enterprises, debarment and suspension requirements, and drug-free workplace requirements; FRA's and OMB's Assurances and Certifications; Americans with Disabilities Act; safety requirements; NEPA; environmental justice requirements; performance measures under 49 U.S.C. 22907(f); grant conditions under 49 U.S.C. 22905, including the Buy America requirements, the provision deeming operators rail carriers for certain purposes and grantee agreements with railroad right-of-way owners for projects using railroad right-of way. See an example of standard terms and conditions for FRA grant awards at https://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/Details/L19057. Fiscal Year 2020 Examples of projects funded in FY 2020 include track rehabilitation, rail crossing safety improvements, and rail bridge refurbishment.
Fiscal Year 2021 Examples of projects funded and announced in FY 2021 include 1) repair and rehabilitation of sections of track along a 55-mile railroad lines to Class 1 track safety standards, 2) track, bridge, tie and surfacing improvements enabling a 171-mile corridor to accommodate 286,000 pound railcars and increase speeds from 10 mph to 25 mph, and 3) replacement of a 70-year old timber bridge nearing the end of its useful life.
Fiscal Year 2022 Examples of projects funded and announced in FY 2022 include safety improvements at 28 crossings along a 157-mile rail corridor, expanding rail capacity of a port by adding about 4.5 miles of four main tracks, and installation of four-quadrant gates, grade crossing warning signage, and pavement marking upgrades at 6 railroad crossing along a 1.5 mile corridor.
Fiscal Year 2023 Examples of projects anticipated for funding in FY 2023 might include Capital projects that address congestion challenges affecting rail service, reduce congestion and facilitate ridership growth along heavily traveled rail corridors, and/or improve short-line or regional railroad infrastructure; Highway-rail grade crossing improvement projects; Rail line relocation and improvement projects; Regional rail and corridor service development plans and environmental analyses; Rehabilitating, remanufacturing, procuring or overhauling locomotives for emissions reduction; and projects necessary to enhance multimodal connections or facilitate service integration between rail service and other modes.
Fiscal Year 2024 Examples of projects anticipated for funding in FY 2024 might include Capital projects that address congestion challenges affecting rail service, reduce congestion and facilitate ridership growth along heavily traveled rail corridors, and/or improve short-line or regional railroad infrastructure; Highway-rail grade crossing improvement projects; Rail line relocation and improvement projects; Regional rail and corridor service development plans and environmental analyses; Rehabilitating, remanufacturing, procuring or overhauling locomotives for emissions reduction; and projects necessary to enhance multimodal connections or facilitate service integration between rail service and other modes.