The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) in the April 20 edition of the Federal Register for $311.8 million through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program.
“We’re committed to addressing the unmet transportation needs of rural areas, which face unique challenges in safety, infrastructure condition and passenger and freight usage,” said FRA Administrator Ronald L. Batory. “I encourage all eligible parties to take full advantage of this funding opportunity.”
The CRISI Program grants help to improve the safety, efficiency and reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail systems. The last round of grants saw six passenger rail projects benefiting from more than $72.5 million in grants, which accounted slightly under 30 percent of the total funding awarded.
This round makes $311.8 million available for grants and requires that at least 25 percent of available funds be reserved for projects in rural communities. In addition, $45 million of the $311.8 million is available for projects eligible under 49 U.S.C. 22907(c)(2) that require the acquisition of rights-of-way, track, or track structure to support developing new intercity passenger rail service routes.
FRA says eligible applications for competitive selection include projects that address congestion challenges, highway-rail grade crossings, upgrade shortline or regional railroad infrastructure, relocate rail lines, improve intercity passenger rail capital assets and deploy railroad safety technology.
FRA says preference will be given to projects with a federal share at or below 50 percent. Additional consideration will be given to how projects support key objectives, including enhancing economic vitality; leveraging federal funding; adopting life-cycle accounting; using innovative approaches to improve safety and expedite project delivery; and holding grantees accountable for achieving specific, measurable outcomes.
FRA says it may also consider geographic diversity; diversity in the size of the systems receiving funding; the applicant’s receipt of other competitive awards; and projects located in, or that support transportation service in, qualified opportunity zones.
Applications for funding under this NOFO are due 60 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register. Following publication, FRA will offer web-based training and technical assistance for eligible applicants. For more details about the CRISI program, visit FRA’s Competitive Discretionary Grant Program webpage. To view the NOFO, click here.
