Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
To fund projects that improve the safety, efficiency, and/or reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail systems.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Interstate Organization
- State
- For-Profit Organization
- Other
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.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
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.
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program.
Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) for this listing will be posted on Grants.gov (opens in new window) (opens in new window).
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.
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.
Program details & compliance
Description
This program funds projects that improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail.
Mission Categories
Primary: Rail Transportation
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
(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.~80% discretionary funds (where 25% of these funds are allocated to rural areas) in FY 17 FY 17 Restrictions: $10 M of funds allocated to capital projects for initiation/restoration of service ~3% of funds allocated to Alaska, Hawaii, South Dakota, and Wyoming based on those states’ rail route miles as a percentage of the nation’s total rail route miles 1% takedown
Required Documentation
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. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.
Matching Requirements
The Federal share of total project costs under this section shall not exceed 80 percent.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements
Formula
(Portion of CRISI funding for Special Transportation Circumstances Grants.)