Rail Line Relocation and Improvement
Active
- Assistance listing
- 20.320
- Agency
-
Federal Railroad Administration
Department of Transportation
- Grant awards
- 52 $56,071,120 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Also known as
- Rail Line Relocation
- Assistance types
-
- Project Grant
- Cooperative Agreement
- Treasury account
-
- 69-0716-0-1-401
- More information
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) administers the Rail Line Relocation and Improvement program (CFDA 20.320) to provide financial assistance for rail line relocation and improvement projects that mitigate adverse effects of rail infrastructure, with the most recent grant award on March 1, 2024.
The program funds construction projects that improve the route or structure of a rail line to mitigate adverse effects of rail traffic on safety, motor vehicle traffic flow, community quality of life, or economic development, or involve lateral or vertical relocation of rail infrastructure. Recent awards demonstrate funding for grade crossing safety improvements, track rehabilitation, rail yard relocations, bridge replacements, and preliminary engineering and environmental review for rail infrastructure improvements. A March 2024 award to Cameron County provided $588,541 for preliminary engineering and environmental review of crossing improvements and track work in the Harlingen area to eliminate deteriorated track and reduce at-grade crossings. The program also funded the Sioux Valley Railroad Relocation project for $4.3 million and the Brownsville/Matamoros West Railroad Relocation Project for $35.1 million.
The program has obligated $56.1 million in federal dollars across 52 awards since 2010, with recipients contributing an additional $53.3 million in non-federal cost share, bringing total project value to $109.4 million. The FRA is the sole funding agency. Award activity has been inconsistent: the program disbursed 10 to 12 awards annually in 2012–2013, but only 1 award in 2015 and 1 in 2024, indicating reduced recent activity. The assistance mix is predominantly Project Grants (41 awards, 79 percent) with a smaller share of Cooperative Agreements (11 awards, 21 percent). Award magnitudes range from under $100 thousand to $35 million, with recent awards typically in the $500 thousand to $4 million range.
No grant opportunities have been posted since August 2023. The most recent open solicitation (FR-LRI-23-001, due September 8, 2023) solicited applications for the Harlingen Rail Improvements Phase 1. Applicants are limited to state and local governments and other specified public entities. The program requires quarterly progress reports and final reporting on project results and benefits.
Objective and description
- Objective
To provide financial assistance for rail line relocation and improvement projects.
- Description
The Rail Line Relocation program assists States and local governments in mitigating the adverse effects created by the presence of rail infrastructure. Grants may only be awarded for construction projects that improve the route or structure of a rail line and are carried out for the purpose of mitigating the adverse effects of rail traffic on safety, motor vehicle traffic flow, community quality of life, or economic development; or involve a lateral or vertical relocation of any portion of the rail line.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
States, Political Subdivisions of States, and the District of Columbia
- Beneficiary eligibility
States, Political Subdivisions of States, and the District of Columbia
- Uses of assistance
Grants may only be awarded for construction projects that improve the route or structure of a rail line and (1) are carried out for the purpose of mitigating the adverse effects of rail traffic on safety, motor vehicle traffic flow, community quality of life, or economic development; or (2) involve a lateral or vertical relocation of any portion of the rail line. Pre-construction activities, such as preliminary engineering, design, and costs associated with project-level compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), are considered part of the overall construction project and are also eligible for funding. However, activities such as planning studies and feasibility analyses are not eligible for funding.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
No restriction on period of time the assistance normally is available. Assistance is usually awarded upon request for reimbursement. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Assistance is usually awarded upon request for reimbursement.
How to apply
- Preapplication coordination
Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
- Criteria for selecting proposals
Selection criteria were included in SAFETEA-LU and the Final Rule establishing the program. For the competitive grant program, applications proceeded through a three-part review process: 1. Screening for completeness and eligibility; 2. Evaluation of eligible applications by technical panels applying the selection criteria; and 3. Project selection by the FRA For the Congressionally directed grants, the work and cost estimates must be reasonable and within the scope of the program regulations and the appropriation language.
- Award procedure
Applications selected for funding would be announced after the application review period. FRA will contact applicants with successful applications after announcement with information and instructions about the award process. Notification of a selected application is not an authorization to begin proposed project activities.
- Time to approval or disapproval
The grantee shall submit the following reports: Quarterly progress reports giving an account of significant progress (findings, events, trends, etc.) made during the reporting period, and a description of any technical and/or cost problems encountered or anticipated that will affect completion of the grant and Final report giving details of the results and benefits of the Grantee's improvement efforts.
Grant opportunities
| Opportunity | Status | Posted | Applications due |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY10-23 Railroad Line Relocation and Improvement Program, Harlingen Rail Improvements Phase 1 | Closed | ||
| Wisconsin West Rail Transit Authority, Barron, WI | Closed | ||
| East Belt Safety Improvements | Closed | ||
| Minnesota Valley Regional Rail Authority Project | Closed |
Grant awards
Latest 10 of 52 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania Department Of Transportation | $4,094,033 | 7% |
| 2 | Cameron County | $4,000,000 | 7% |
| 3 | Washington ST Department Of Transportation | $3,866,694 | 7% |
| 4 | Michigan Department Of Transportation | $3,773,356 | 7% |
| 5 | Arkansas Department Of Transportation | $3,050,997 | 5% |
| 6 | City & County Of San Francisco | $2,970,000 | 5% |
| 7 | North Carolina Department Of Transportation | $2,858,847 | 5% |
| 8 | Minnesota Department Of Transportation | $2,750,252 | 5% |
| 9 | Transbay Joint Powers Authority | $2,650,000 | 5% |
| 10 | City Of Springfield | $2,292,929 | 4% |
10 of 41 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2024 | $400,000 |
| FY2022 | -$7,323 |
| FY2021 | -$1,803,801 |
| FY2018 | -$737,946 |
| FY2017 | -$2,608,813 |
| FY2016 | -$3,298,112 |
| FY2015 | -$656,594 |
| FY2014 | $7,967,419 |
| FY2013 | $19,076,355 |
| FY2012 | $12,731,097 |
| FY2011 | $24,178,081 |
| FY2010 | $6,656,880 |
Show all 12
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 20.320?
Assistance Listing 20.320 is Rail Line Relocation and Improvement, a federal grant program run by Federal Railroad Administration (Department of Transportation).
What is the CFDA number for Rail Line Relocation and Improvement?
Its CFDA number is 20.320: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 20.320 awarded?
52 grant awards under 20.320 have obligated $56,071,120 in federal funds to 41 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 20.320?
The recipients obligated the most under Rail Line Relocation and Improvement are Pennsylvania Department Of Transportation ($4,094,033), Cameron County ($4,000,000) and Washington ST Department Of Transportation ($3,866,694).
Are there open grant opportunities under 20.320?
No opportunity listed under 20.320 is open now. The latest, FY10-23 Railroad Line Relocation and Improvement Program, Harlingen Rail Improvements Phase 1, was posted on August 30, 2023.
On GovTribe
See this program's full record
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