The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for over 2.4 billion USD in Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program grants.
CRISI grants support projects to modernise America’s freight and intercity passenger rail infrastructure. This will help move people and goods with greater safety, efficiency and reliability.
The NOFO includes funding for Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024 provided by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It builds on more than 1.4 billion USD in CRISI grant selections announced last year.
“Today we're opening the biggest funding round in history for the program that modernises freight and intercity passenger rail infrastructure. This funding will make it safer, more affordable, more sustainable, and more efficient for people and goods to move by rail across the country.”
Last year, FRA selected 70 projects for CRISI Program funding, ranging from bridge, track and grade crossing improvements to investments in restoring and expanding intercity passenger rail corridors.
CRISI grants also support rural communities and short-line railroads that strengthen supply chains and bolster local economies. For example, the programme has funded projects such as trespass prevention efforts and the rehabilitation or procurement of zero- or low-emissions locomotives for these operations.
In addition, CRISI grants can support workforce development and training programmes to retain current employees and attract new individuals to the rail industry.
“Every year, FRA sees extraordinarily high demand for CRISI grant funds, which help railroads, states, and local communities meet vital needs for safety and economic development and growth. In addition, by funding freight and passenger rail transportation, CRISI-funded projects improve the fluidity of the national rail network and make it easier and safer for goods and people to move by rail across the country.”
The newly announced NOFO can be found here. Applications for funding are due in the next 60 days.
