Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

COMPANY OVERVIEW

About Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

Contact

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
United States

http://www.fra.dot.gov/

Phone: 202.493.6024

More Info on Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

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.

Products and Press Releases

Infrastructure

California State Transportation Agency, CHSRA renew agreement with FRA

California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA)

July 25, 2024

The renewed agreements allows the California State Transportation Agency and CHSRA to continue assuming the FRA’s federal environmental review responsibilities under the National...

Infrastructure

Amtrak begins Susquehanna River Rail Bridge Project in northeast Maryland

Amtrak

July 22, 2024

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.

Rail

FRA issues NOFO for $153 million in Restoration and Enhancement Grant Program funding

July 15, 2024

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...

Rail

FRA issues NOFO for $1.1 million in Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program funding

July 10, 2024

The RCE Grant Program aims to fund projects that work to construct grade separations and upgrade safety devices at crossings.

Vehicles

First hydrogen-powered FLIRT H2 passenger train arrives at San Bernardino Depot Train Station

San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA)

June 25, 2024

The new train uses a hybrid hydrogen and battery technology to propel the train and power onboard electrical systems.

Infrastructure

MBTA begins train testing on South Coast Rail Project

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)

June 17, 2024

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.

Rail

FRA issues two final rules that require railroads to develop certification and training programs for train dispatchers and signal employees

May 21, 2024

The final rules will help ensure that certified dispatchers and signal employees are qualified and fit for duty and builds on FRA actions to increase rail safety and better protect...

Infrastructure

FRA issues NOFO for more than $2 billion in NEC funding

May 15, 2024

The available funding builds on the $16.4 billion for 25 projects of national significance along the corridor that was awarded in 2023.

Infrastructure

FRA makes $2.4 billion available in FY23 and FY24 CRISI grants

April 1, 2024

The funding for FY23 and FY24 builds on the more than $1.4 billion in CRISI grant selections announced in 2023.

Rail

FRA awards $900,000 in inaugural IRC grant funding

March 15, 2024

The IRC Grant Program provides new opportunities to entities implementing IRCs to advance multi-state and regional passenger rail service efforts.

Articles & News

Infrastructure

FRA awards $8.2 billion in funding for passenger rail projects through two grant programs

Brandon Lewis

Dec. 11, 2023

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...

Infrastructure

Brightline West, Raleigh to Richmond Commuter Rail awarded federal rail grants

Eman Abu-Khaled

Dec. 6, 2023

The projects were awarded a combined $4 billion and aim to bring a combined 380 miles of passenger rail service into reality.

Infrastructure

FRA awards $16.4 billion for 25 passenger rail projects along NEC

Eman Abu-Khaled

Nov. 7, 2023

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...

Rail

FRA awards $1.4 billion in funding for 70 rail improvement projects in 35 states and Washington, D.C.

Brandon Lewis

Sept. 26, 2023

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...

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy speaks at a press conference in June 2022 following the derailment of an Amtrak train in Mendon, Mo.

Safety & Security

NTSB determines probable cause of Amtrak derailments in Missouri, Montana

Mischa Wanek-Libman

Aug. 3, 2023

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...

Rail

FRA makes nearly $2.3 billion available in federal passenger rail grants

Mass Transit Staff Report

Dec. 8, 2022

The available funding marks one of the largest investments of the past 50 years to expand intercity passenger and build high-speed rail projects.

A rendering of what the new Susquehanna River Rail Bridges will look like. Two bridges will replace an existing moveable bridge that was opened in 1906.

Infrastructure

Amtrak prepares for $1.5-billion Susquehanna River Rail Bridge replacement project

Mischa Wanek-Libman

Nov. 22, 2022

The railroad plans to issue solicitations in the coming months for a design-bid-build contract and a construction manager at risk contract.

Rail

FRA opens $1.4 billion in CRISI funding

Mass Transit Staff Report

Sept. 2, 2022

CRISI grants will invest in a range of projects that will mitigate passenger and freight rail congestion; enhance multi-modal connections and improve and establish new intercity...

Adrianne R. Malasky Special Assistant to the Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration

40 Under 40

2022 40 Under 40: Adrianne R. Malasky

Aug. 23, 2022

Adrianne R. Malasky, Special Assistant to the Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration

MTA Police and Metro-North representatives during a Level Crossing Awareness event in June 2022. MTA is one of several entities to receive federal funding to support its trespassing and suicide prevention efforts.

Safety & Security

FRA awards more than $2 million in grants to support trespassing and suicide prevention efforts

Mischa Wanek-Libman

June 14, 2022

More than 68 percent of the grants awarded will help efforts on intercity and commuter rail lines.

All content from Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

Rail

Gov. Polis, Colorado leaders ride inspection train from Denver to Longmont, Colo

Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)

March 11, 2024

The route is part of the planned Front Range Passenger Rail project that would connect major population centers along the Colorado Front Range.

Rail

Front Range Passenger Rail project accepted into FRA’s Corridor ID Program

Front Range Passenger Rail District

Dec. 19, 2023

Stakeholders celebrated the project’s acceptance into the FRA’s Corridor ID Program and heralded the project as a ‘once-in-a-lifetime chance to expand Colorado’s transportation...

Infrastructure

Amtrak begins procurement process for Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project

Amtrak

Nov. 21, 2023

In conjunction with NJ Transit, replacement of the Sawtooth Bridges is a key component of the Gateway Program to preserve and expand the busiest section of the Northeast Corridor...

Railroad Signals, PTC, Control Systems and Products

NTSB calls on FRA to formulate plan to incorporate new technology that prevents certain train collisions

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

Nov. 2, 2023

NTSB released a report Nov. 1 that identified situations where new and emerging technologies can improve the nation’s existing PTC system and benefit rail safety.

Safety & Security

TSA updates three security directives regulating passenger and freight railroad carriers

Transportation Security Administration

Oct. 25, 2023

The security directives have been renewed for one year and include updates to enhance the cybersecurity of surface transportation systems and associated infrastructure.

Vehicles

FRA to require image recording devices on all passenger trains

Oct. 13, 2023

The rule mandates locomotive video recording devices must remain operational while the controlling locomotive of a passenger train is in motion, with the aim to enhance safety...

Infrastructure

L.A. Metro receives $38.3 million in funding for Doran Street Grade Separation Project

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro)

Oct. 12, 2023

The funding comes from FRA’s Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant; The Doran Street crossing has one of the highest numbers of safety-related incidents involving vehicles, bicycles...

Vehicles

Amtrak OIG report finds Amtrak improved management of New Acela program, but delays, cost increases likely

Amtrak OIG

Oct. 4, 2023

Amtrak OIG identified a lack of a validated computer model to support trainset testing and an incomplete schedule of addressing vehicle defects as two reasons for the delays of...

Rail

FRA awards UIUC $5 million to establish National University Rail Center of Excellence

Oct. 2, 2023

The National University Rail Center of Excellence is a driven initiative dedicated to increasing safety, efficiency and reliability of both passenger and freight rail transportation...