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Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
United States
202.493.6024
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More Info on Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

Federal Railroad Administration
Fralogo 11071436

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) was created by the Department of Transportation Act of 1966 (49 U.S.C. 103, Section 3(e)(1)). The purpose of FRA is to: promulgate and enforce rail safety regulations; administer railroad assistance programs; conduct research and development in support of improved railroad safety and national rail transportation policy; provide for the rehabilitation of Northeast Corridor rail passenger service; and consolidate government support of rail transportation activities. Today, the FRA is one of ten agencies within the U.S. Department of Transportation concerned with intermodal transportation. It operates through seven divisions under the offices of the Administrator and Deputy Administrator.

Press Releases

MassDOT
An Amtrak train at the Boston-Albany corridor.
The funding will support the Boston-Albany Corridor Service Development Plan, which will expand and enhance train service connecting Boston and Albany, N.Y., through Springfield...
Aug. 26, 2025
CHSRA
rendering of fresno valley station
FRA cited lack of progress as one of the biggest contributing factors in the decision.
July 18, 2025
FRA
FRA logo.
The new website allows users more customizability to find exactly the data they need.
June 12, 2025
Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky
A Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky Express bus.
The funding is being delivered through 180 infrastructure grants for more than 3,200 transportation projects, including rail and bus projects.
May 7, 2025
Amtrak
rendering of penn station entrance
FRA is also reducing the amount awarded to Amtrak to reflect the focus on planning for reconstruction and expansion of Penn Station.
April 21, 2025
Amtrak
An Amtrak train in Washington, D.C., on a spring day.
FRA says walking away from the Texas Central Railway project at this time will allow Amtrak to focus on necessary improvements to deliver more reliability to its current riders...
April 16, 2025
Amtrak
Amtrak, NJ Transit highlight infrastructure, equipment improvements in new report.
In a new progress report, Amtrak and NJ Transit identified points of improvement in their system and set out to correct inefficiencies.
April 16, 2025
Union Station Redevelopment Corporation
A rendering of Washington Union Station.
The $1.5 billion in funding builds on more than $16.4 billion in Fed-State NEC grants announced in 2023 for projects along the corridor.
Nov. 18, 2024
West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition
Eau Claire-Twin Cities Passenger Rail Project map.
Step 1, which features the scoping phase, will provide a roadmap for the region to begin rail planning activities and establish the scope of work, schedule and budget for the ...
Nov. 1, 2024
Amtrak
Amtrak awards first of three crucial construction contracts for Zoo to Paoli Electrification Transmission Line Program.
The multi-year program will upgrade the electrification system along an 18-mile section of track between the Zoo Substation in Philadelphia and the Paoli Substation in Chester...
Oct. 28, 2024

Blogs

Larry Penner
Larry Penner
A recent announcement by MTA Chairman Janno Lieber that the project beneficial use date will slip from late 2027 to some time in 2028 was disappointing.
Nov. 29, 2024

News

Amtrak
An aerial view of the aging Dock Bridge, a vertical lift railroad bridge spanning the Passaic River in Newark, New Jersey, featuring two large rusted steel lift towers and a movable span with a small operator's house, with the Newark skyline visible in the background under a clear autumn sky.
Skanska will perform the bridge rehabilitation work, and LiRo-Hill will provide project oversight and support throughout construction.
July 31, 2026
Amtrak
An active rail infrastructure construction site showing a deep excavation corridor beneath an existing bridge structure, with construction workers in orange safety vests and hard hats, cranes, heavy equipment, sheet pile walls, and catenary wire infrastructure visible overhead, with a commuter rail station platform visible in the background to the left.
Construction crews continue utility, bridge and site work as the first of two tunnel boring machines moves toward launch.
July 29, 2026
@septaphilly | Instagram
A Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority Silverliner IV railcar.
The agency has completed repairs on two-thirds of the railcars following FRA-mandated inspections.
Jan. 12, 2026
ID 44596617 © Rixie | Dreamstime.com
Railroad crossing sign against blue sky background.
The five-year waiver allows agencies to demonstrate how ATI technology can assist safety inspectors by identifying defects or hazards that might otherwise be missed.
Dec. 9, 2025
@septaphilly | Instagram
A Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority Silverliner IV railcar.
Shapiro says the funding will allow SEPTA to accelerate critical safety upgrades, comply with FRA and FTA orders and maintain reliable service for riders throughout the region...
Nov. 25, 2025
Tappi
David Fink.
Fink has more than 45 years of experience in the transportation industry and leadership, including stops at General Motors and Pan Am Railway.
Oct. 9, 2025
@septaphilly | Instagram
A Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority Silverliner IV railcar.
The NTSB’s recommendations follow multiple fires involving SEPTA’s aging Silverliner IV fleet, as the FRA has also issued an emergency order that requires inspections and repairs...
Oct. 3, 2025
Amtrak
Amtrak trains looking over the city of Chicago.
The NOFO allocates more than $5 billion in funding for projects that enhance safety on intercity passenger rail networks.
Sept. 23, 2025
Amtrak
An Amtrak train wrapped with promotion of Operation Lifesaver's See Tracks? Think Train® Week.
Formerly known as Rail Safety Week in the U.S., OLI launched the campaign in 2017 to focus attention on the importance of making safe choices when driving or walking near railroad...
Sept. 19, 2025
Jana Thompson | Dreamstime.com
A railroad bridge over the Missouri River. The Chicago and North Eastern Railroad Bridge in Pierre, South Dakota.
The administration is increasing the amount of safety inspectors from less than 10 to 160, with new training to address bridge mechanics.
Sept. 4, 2025

Articles

Erin Brown
Federal legislation update graphic.
The House T&I Committee’s bill for surface transportation reauthorization advanced out of committee, setting the stage for what's to come with passenger rail programs.
June 3, 2026
CHSRA
A rendering of a high-speed rail train.
The authority says the report provides a clear path forward to finish the project by 2039.
Aug. 27, 2025
Brightline
Brightline trains in Orlando Station.
The FRA has awarded more than 1.1 billion in Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program grants and $146 million in funding through the Restoration and Enhancement Grant Program...
Jan. 14, 2025
Tappi
David Fink.
Fink has more than 45 years of experience in the transportation industry and leadership, including stops at General Motors and Pan Am Railway.
Jan. 9, 2025
BART
Police on a Bay Area Rapid Transit bus.
The CRISI Program will fund 122 rail improvement projects in 41 states and Washington, D.C., while the final rule requires transit agencies across the U.S. to implement comprehensive...
Oct. 30, 2024
Amtrak
Amtrak trains overlooking the city of Chicago.
The funding awarded will support 10 projects ready for construction throughout the U.S., as well as 69 corridors that have been identified for future passenger rail development...
Dec. 11, 2023
Brightline West
A rendering of the Brightline West all-electric high-speed rail system between Las Vegas and southern California.
The projects were awarded a combined $4 billion and aim to bring a combined 380 miles of passenger rail service into reality.
Dec. 6, 2023
Amtrak
The FRA has awarded $16.4 billion for 25 passenger rail projects along the NEC.
The investment will overhaul infrastructure that outdates 99 percent of all living Americans by replacing or upgrading 12 major bridges and tunnels that are more than 100 years...
Nov. 7, 2023
FRA
FRA has awarded more than $1.4 billion in funding for 70 rail improvement projects in 35 states and Washington, D.C.
The funding is through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and marks the largest amount ever awarded for rail safety and rail supply chain upgrades through the CRISI program...
Sept. 26, 2023
NTSB
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy speaks at a press conference in June 2022 following the derailment of an Amtrak train in Mendon, Mo.
The 2022 Missouri accident was caused by human error with the steep road grade at a crossing being a contributing factor, while the 2021 Montana accident was caused by poor track...
Aug. 3, 2023

Additional content from Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

Amtrak
Amtrak trains looking over the city of Chicago.
The new funding builds on $8.2 billion in grants awarded in December 2023 for 10 passenger rail projects across the country, including the first high-speed rail projects in the...
Oct. 2, 2024
Gateway Development Commission
The first concrete for the Hudson Tunnel Project has been poured at the Tonnelle Avenue construction site.
The FSP Grant agreement completes the $12 billion federal contribution for the Hudson Tunnel Project and immediately obligates the initial $1.9 billion from the grant.
Oct. 1, 2024
Brightline West
The FRA officially signed the $3 billion grant agreement awarded to the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) for Brightline West.
The grant will provide critical funding needed to bring to life a rail system that will significantly reduce travel time between Las Vegas and Southern California.
Sept. 27, 2024
Amtrak
Amtrak and partners break ground on new Connecticut River Bridge.
The new bridge will support a maximum train operating speed of 70 mph, a 55 percent increase from today’s maximum speed of 45 mph.
Sept. 6, 2024
Amtrak
Amtrak and partners open Newport News Transportation Center.
The center will provide two daily Amtrak Virginia roundtrips between the city of Newport News and Richmond and Alexandria, Va., Washington, D.C., and cities in the northeast....
Aug. 22, 2024
Amtrak
FRA Administrator Rose, FTA Regional Administrator Culotta visit NEC with Amtrak, NJ Transit.
Bose and Culotta’s visit builds on ongoing work by Amtrak, NJ Transit and FRA in northeast states to tackle the prior service issues following NEC disruptions in New Jersey and...
Aug. 1, 2024
CHSRA
California State Transportation Agency, CHSRA renew agreement with FRA.
The renewed agreements allows the California State Transportation Agency and CHSRA to continue assuming the FRA’s federal environmental review responsibilities under the National...
July 25, 2024
Amtrak
Amtrak begins Susquehanna River Rail Bridge Project in northeast Maryland .
The project will ensure continued connectivity along the Northeast Corridor while enabling plans to expand intercity passenger rail service in the region and across the U.S.
July 22, 2024
Gilberto Mesquita | Adobe Stock 302533355
Trains at Union Station in Dallas, Texas.
The funding will target support towards projects that work to establish service on new routes, restore service on routes that formerly had intercity passenger operations and enhance...
July 15, 2024
FHWA
FRA has issued a NOFO for more than $1.1 billion in RCE Grant Program funding.
The RCE Grant Program aims to fund projects that work to construct grade separations and upgrade safety devices at crossings.
July 10, 2024
San Bernardino County Transportation Authority
The first hydrogen-powered FLIRT H2 passenger train has arrived at the San Bernardino Depot Train Station.
The new train uses a hybrid hydrogen and battery technology to propel the train and power onboard electrical systems.
June 25, 2024
Massachusetts Department of Transportation
South Coast Rail train.
When complete in spring 2025, the project will restore rail service between Boston, Mass., and the South Coast for the first time in more than 70 years.
June 17, 2024