Skip to main content

Federal Railroad Administration invests in rail safety

The US Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has awarded eight grants totalling more than US$21.2 million to invest in highway-rail grade crossing safety, positive train control (PTC) implementation and passenger rail. The eight grants were awarded in states across the country and feature a wide array of projects, including: Grade crossing safety and passenger rail planning grants to California department of Transportation and Illinois Department of Transportation; Transportation Technology Center PTC
April 17, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
The US Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has awarded eight grants totalling more than US$21.2 million to invest in highway-rail grade crossing safety, positive train control (PTC) implementation and passenger rail.  

The eight grants were awarded in states across the country and feature a wide array of projects, including: Grade crossing safety and passenger rail planning grants to 923 California department of Transportation and 2030 Illinois Department of Transportation; Transportation Technology Center PTC implementation project Interoperable; 2008 Amtrak, Arinc and 1267 Metropolitan Transportation Authority receive grants for train control messaging security.

“These projects are examples of the positive work we could do if we had predictable, dedicated funding for rail,” said US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.  “The Grow America Act is a blueprint for continued economic growth that will help us further strengthen rail’s safety record, close the nation’s infrastructure deficit, and modernise the nation’s freight and passenger rail network.”

“Enhancing grade crossing safety, investing in the deployment of PTC, and funding planning efforts are investments that will make our rail network safer, more reliable, and efficient,” said Acting Federal Railroad Administrator Sarah Feinberg.  “Continuous investment in rail infrastructure will enable us to meet the growing demand for rail and to keep people living along rail lines safe.”

Related Content

  • April 5, 2016
    FRA makes funding available for positive train control implementation
    The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is accepting applications for US$25 million in competitive grant funding available to railroads, suppliers, and state and local governments for positive train control (PTC) implementation. The funding is part of the 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act that funds the US Department of Transportation. Applications will be accepted until 19 May 2016 and FRA will give preference to projects that would provide the greatest level of p
  • August 18, 2016
    FRA awards funding, status report stresses the need for positive train control
    The US Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has awarded US$25 million in grants for 11 projects in six states and the District of Columbia to assist in implementing positive train control (PTC). Many awards will help railroads achieve interoperability among the different PTC systems that railroads are deploying. PTC prevents certain train-to-train collisions, over-speed derailments, incursions into established work zone limits and trains going to the wrong tracks be
  • September 21, 2015
    Go-ahead for Richmond-to-Raleigh high-speed rail proposal
    The US Department of Transportation (DOT)’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the State of North Carolina and the Commonwealth of Virginia have signed off on the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the proposed Richmond to Raleigh (R2R) passenger rail line along the Southeast Corridor. The completion of the FEIS is one of the final steps necessary before construction of the project can move forward once funding is secured. The 162-mile route between the two cities would utilise existing
  • February 3, 2015
    US FY 2016 budget invests heavily in ITS, infrastructure
    Announcing President Obama’s US$94.7 billion Fiscal Year 2016 budget for the US Department of Transportation, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said, “Our budget proposal lays the foundation for a future where our transportation infrastructure meets the demands of a growing population and an economy that depends on the free flow of freight,” said Secretary Foxx. “This Administration is looking towards the horizon – the future – but to do this we need Congress’ partnership to pass a long-term reauthorisa