This grant will fund the implementation of centralized traffic control (CTC) on a 4.7-mile segment of double track on the new mexico rail runner express (NMRX) system near downtown albuquerque NM

The Federal Transit Administration awarded Rio Metro Regional Transit District $9.703 million on July 14, 2026, under the Federal Transit Formula Grants program (CFDA 20.507) to implement centralized traffic control on a 4.7-mile segment of double track on the New Mexico Rail Runner Express system near downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The grant funds upgrades to two existing control points at Hahn Milepost 899.1 and Abajo Milepost 903.8, including signal, switch, and track improvements. The project includes installation of two new control points at Marquette Milepost 902.06 and Maine Milepost 902.62, with new signals, bungalows, communications equipment, powered switches, switch heaters, and turnouts. Implementation encompasses installation of Positive Train Control overlaying the centralized traffic control system to prevent train-on-train collisions, overspeed derailments, work zone incursions, and movements through red signals and misaligned switches. The grant also funds installation of new and rehabilitation of existing track and crossovers, including ballast, ties, and rail, and removal of obsolete signal infrastructure.

Centralized traffic control enables dispatchers to authorize train movements through track blocks from a central location via remote signal and powered switch control, increasing train speeds and reducing travel times. Currently, 2.7 miles of the segment operate under 20 mph speed restrictions, and the remaining 2 miles operate under 50 mph restrictions using track warrant control requiring verbal dispatcher authorization and crew recording.

Period of performance runs through October 1, 2027. All work is performed directly by Rio Metro with no sub-recipients involved.

Activities

CTC implementation will include:--upgrades to two existing control points (CP) at either end of the project corridor (CP hahn milepost 899.1; CP abajo milepost 903.8) including various signal switch and track improvements --the installation of two new control points on either end of the nmrx yard and downtown albuquerque station (CP marquette milepost 902.06; CP maine milepost 902.62) including new signals bungalows communications equipment powered switches switch heaters turnouts etc. --installation of positive train control (PTC) which overlays CTC to prevent train-on-train collisions overspeed derailments work zone incursions and movements through red signals and misaligned switches – installation of new and rehabilitation of existing track and crossovers (ballast ties rail etc.) associated with the aforementioned control points and to improve traffic flow --removal of old signal infrastructure rendered obsolete by the above efforts

Expected outcomes

CTC implementation will increase train speeds along a 4.7-mile segment of double track on the nmrx system and thereby reduce travel times. Absent CTC 2.7 miles of this segment are operated as restricted limits where trains may not exceed 20 MPH. The remaining 2 miles of this segment are restricted to 50 MPH and train movements are only authorized by track warrant control (TWC). TWC requires a dispatcher to record and then verbally issue an authorized train movement via radio. The train crew must then record the authorized movement on a track warrant form and then repeat IT back to the dispatcher. The dispatcher finally confirms the authorization back to the train crew. The TWC process is tedious and can take several minutes to complete. CTC will allow rail runner (COMMUTER) amtrak (INTERCITY) and bnsf (class I freight) trains to theoretically operate at speeds up to 79MPH. That said RIO metro will allow trains to operate at 50 MPH along the entire 4.7-mile segment with reduced speeds in the immediate vicinity of the downtown albuquerque station. These changes combined with the elimination of TWC will save passengers and freight considerable time when traveling through albuquerque. Moreover the addition of PTC will improve the safety of all train movements within this segment.

Intended beneficiaries

Rail runner and amtrak passengers and bnsf deliveries will all benefit from the reduced travel times and improved safety afforded by CTC implementation.