The recipient will conduct a feasibility analysis studying combinations of potential crossing improvements, grade separations, and tunneling for seven separate railroad crossing locations within the…

The Town of Ashland received a $526,500 Project Grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) under the Railroad Crossing Elimination program (CFDA 20.327), awarded on May 1, 2025, with an ultimate completion date of October 31, 2026. The grant funds a comprehensive feasibility analysis examining potential crossing improvements, grade separations, and tunneling solutions across seven railroad crossing locations within Ashland, Virginia. This planning and engineering study will identify viable approaches to enhance mobility for buses, bicyclists, pedestrians, and emergency service vehicles that are currently impeded by blocked railroad crossings.

The feasibility analysis will evaluate multiple infrastructure improvement strategies to address transportation conflicts at the identified crossing locations, supporting the RCE program's objectives of improving safety and mobility while reducing the impacts of railroad operations on community transportation networks. As a planning-phase project, this deliverable represents the initial stage of potential capital improvements and will provide the engineering foundation and environmental assessments necessary for future construction or closure decisions at these seven crossings.

The recipient will conduct a feasibility analysis studying combinations of potential crossing improvements, grade separations, and tunneling for seven separate railroad crossing locations within the town of ashland, virginia. This project will determine potential solutions to improve mobility for buses, bikers, pedestrians, and emergency service vehicles stopped by blocked crossings.