Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements

To fund projects that improve the safety, efficiency, and/or reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail systems.

This program funds projects that improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail.

Interstate, Public nonprofit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education), Other public institution/organization, Profit organization, State (1) A State. (2) A group of States. (3) An Interstate Compact. (4) A public agency or publicly chartered authority established by 1 or more States. (5) A political subdivision of a State. (6) Amtrak or another rail carrier that provides intercity rail passenger transportation (7) A Class II railroad or Class III railroad (8) Any rail carrier or rail equipment manufacturer in partnership with at least 1 of the entities in (1) through (5). (9) The Transportation Research Board and any entity with which it contracts in the development of rail-related research, including cooperative research programs. (10) A University transportation center engaged in rail-related research. (11) A non-profit labor organization representing a class or craft of employees of rail carriers or rail carrier contractors.

(1) A State. (2) A group of States. (3) An Interstate Compact. (4) A public agency or publicly chartered authority established by 1 or more States. (5) A political subdivision of a State. (6) Amtrak or another rail carrier that provides intercity rail passenger transportation (7) A Class II railroad or Class III railroad (8) Any rail carrier or rail equipment manufacturer in partnership with at least 1 of the entities in (1) through (5). (9) The Transportation Research Board and any entity with which it contracts in the development of rail-related research, including cooperative research programs. (10) A University transportation center engaged in rail-related research.

(1) Deployment of railroad safety technology, including positive train control and rail integrity inspection systems. (2) A capital project as defined in section 24401(2), except that a project shall not be required to be in a State rail plan developed under chapter 227. (3) A capital project identified by the Secretary as being necessary to address congestion challenges affecting rail service. (4) A capital project identified by the Secretary as being necessary to reduce congestion and facilitate ridership growth in intercity passenger rail transportation along heavily traveled rail corridors. (5) A highway-rail grade crossing improvement project, including installation, repair, or improvement of grade separations, railroad crossing signals, gates, and related technologies, highway traffic signalization, highway lighting and crossing approach signage, roadway improvements such as medians or other barriers, railroad crossing panels and surfaces, and safety engineering improvements to reduce risk in quiet zones or potential quiet zones. (6) A rail line relocation and improvement project. (7) A capital project to improve short-line or regional railroad infrastructure. (8) The preparation of regional rail and corridor service development plans and corresponding environmental analyses. (9) Any project that the Secretary considers necessary to enhance multimodal connections or facilitate service integration between rail service and other modes, including between intercity rail passenger transportation and intercity bus service or commercial air service. (10) The development and implementation of a safety program or institute designed to improve rail safety. (11) Any research that the Secretary considers necessary to advance any particular aspect of rail related capital, operations, or safety improvements; and (12) Workforce development and training activities, coordinated to the extent practicable with the existing local training programs supported by the Department of Transportation, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Education. ~96% discretionary funds (where 25% of these funds are allocated to rural areas) in FY20. 1% takedown.~80% discretionary funds (where 25% of these funds are allocated to rural areas) in FY 17 FY 17 Restrictions: $10 M of funds allocated to capital projects for initiation/restoration of service ~3% of funds allocated to Alaska, Hawaii, South Dakota, and Wyoming based on those states' rail route miles as a percentage of the nation's total rail route miles 1% takedown

No restriction on period of time the assistance normally is available.

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.

FRA will give preference to: • Projects where the Federal share of total project costs is 50 percent or less. Projects where the proposed non-Federal share is comprised of more than one source including private sources, demonstrated broad participation by affected stakeholders. Projects where the net benefits of the grant funds are maximized considering the benefit-cost analysis, including anticipated private and public benefits relative to the costs of the proposed project, and factoring in the other considerations described below. After applying the above preferences, FRA will take in account the key Departmental priorities. Other considerations include: the degree to which the proposed project's business plan considers potential private sector participation in the financing, construction, or operation of the project.; the recipient's past performance in developing and delivering similar projects, and previous financial contributions; whether the recipient has or will have the legal, financial, and technical capacity to carry out the proposed project; satisfactory continuing control over the use of the equipment or facilities; and the capability and willingness to maintain the equipment or facilities.

Applications selected for funding will be announced in a press release and on FRA's website after the application review period. FRA will contact applicants with successful applications after announcement with information and instructions about the award process. This notification is not an authorization to begin proposed project activities. A formal grant agreement or cooperative agreement signed by both the grantee and the FRA, including an approved scope, schedule, and budget, is required before the award is considered complete. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) for this listing will be posted on Grants.gov (opens in new window) (opens in new window). Required documents for an application package are: Project Narrative, Statement of Work, Benefit-Cost Analysis, Environmental Compliance Documentation, SF424 - Application for Federal Assistance, SF 424C - Budget Information for Construction, or, for an equipment procurement project without any construction costs, or SF 424A - Budget Information for Non-Construction, SF 424D - Assurances for Construction, or, for an equipment procurement project without any construction costs, or SF 424B - Assurances for Non-Construction, and FRA's Additional Assurances and Certifications.

FRA is committed to responding to applicants in a reasonable and timely manner. Response times will vary based on size, scope, complexity and volume of applications.