This project seeks to enhance safety and reduce delays in birmingham and jefferson county throughimproved rail infrastructure and the elimination of at-grade crossings

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) awarded the City of Birmingham a $10 million Project Grant under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements program (CFDA 20.325) on July 1, 2025, with a completion deadline of January 31, 2027. This award funds preliminary engineering (PE), environmental review, and project management activities designed to enhance rail safety and reduce transportation delays in Birmingham and Jefferson County through improved rail infrastructure and elimination of at-grade crossings. The project involves collaborative coordination among the FRA, local governments, and Norfolk Southern Railroad.

Deliverables under this award include a comprehensive project management plan outlining implementation strategies, final National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation for ecological and community compliance, PE designs at 30 percent completion level for civil structures, track, and signals optimization, and performance reports evaluating safety improvements and overall project impact. Upon successful completion of these planning and design phases, the project is positioned to advance to a construction phase that would provide area residents and businesses with enhanced transportation safety, reduced operational disruptions, and improved access to efficient rail transportation systems.

Key tasks include preliminary engineering (PE), which involves designing civil structures, track, and signals to optimize rail operations environmental review, which encompasses completing nepa-required documentation for ecological and community compliance and project management, aimed at facilitating effective collaboration among the FRA, local governments, and norfolk southern railroad. Deliverables will include a comprehensive project management plan that outlines implementation strategies, final nepa documentation, PE designs at a 30% completion level, and performance reports evaluating safety improvements and project impact. Should construction proceed in the next phase, residents and businesses of this area will benefit from enhanced safety, reduced disruptions, and improved access to efficient transportation systems.