The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for $1.4 billion in Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) Grant funding. CRISI grants award funds to projects that modernize freight and passenger rail infrastructure in the United States.
The CRISI Grant program nearly tripled in funding with the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and is authorized to award up to $1 billion per year through Fiscal Year 2026. The FRA says the increase in funds is “a much-needed step to meet the heavy demand for rail funding from states and local communities.”
“We're thrilled to announce the biggest round of funding ever to make both passenger and freight trains across America safer, faster and more reliable,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.
The program will allocate at least 25 percent of the funding to projects in rural areas. FRA explains the influx of new grant opportunities will allow it to invest in a wide range of projects that will mitigate passenger and freight rail congestion; enhance multi-modal connections; and improve and establish new intercity passenger rail corridors.
CRISI grants will also focus on safety projects such as grade crossing enhancements and rail line relocations and improvements as well as other priorities, including workforce development and training, regional rail and corridor planning, environmental analyses and research and deployment of railroad safety technology. New project eligibilities also include measures to prevent trespassing and to rehabilitate, remanufacture, procure or overhaul locomotives for emissions reduction projects.
“Projects funded by these CRISI grants will generate economic opportunities and improve the travel experience in communities across America, whether urban or rural, large or small,” said FRA Administrator Amit Bose. “With the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s massive boost to the CRISI Program, the funding made available today will help launch our country’s new rail revolution and maintain our rail network’s unmatched standards for safety and efficiency.”
In June, FRA awarded 46 rail projects more than $368 million in CRISI grants, which included 11 passenger rail projects.
The NOFO was published in the Federal Register on Sept. 2, 2022.
