FRA allocates $5.3B to rail safety and Amtrak fleet upgrades across 23 states

In a significant move to enhance rail safety and efficiency across the United States, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has announced $5.3 billion in funding directed towards rail projects in 23 states. These funds will be used to improve grade-crossing safety, update infrastructure, and modernize Amtrak's passenger rail equipment.

Over $2 billion of these funds are allocated to Amtrak for the acquisition of 43 new trainsets and the refurbishment of 41 locomotives, particularly for routes in the Midwest and Pacific regions. Apart from Amtrak's upgrades, the funding will also be allocated to 41 other initiatives, focusing on the improvement or closure of many highway-rail grade crossings and enhancements to passenger rail infrastructure.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy emphasized that these investments aim to bolster rail safety and enhance passenger services. He noted that approximately $2 billion of the funding emerged after the cancellation of previous federal funding initially intended for California's high-speed rail project.

Major Investments in Passenger Rail

The FRA has prioritized initiatives that confront high-risk grade crossings, specifically locations with a history of multiple incidents or fatalities in the last five years. As per the agency's data, grade crossings witness over 2,000 incidents and 200 deaths annually.

Among the substantial grade-crossing funding allocations is $356 million for the Florida Department of Transportation to enhance safety at approximately 910 crossings statewide. North Carolina's Department of Transportation will receive $299 million to close nine crossings, create double-track segments, and institute trespassing-prevention measures.

Texas will benefit from $189 million given to its Department of Transportation to remove nine crossings across Fort Worth, Dallas, and Terrell, while Hays County will receive another $39 million for building a grade-separated bridge.

Additional projects involve $40 million granted to Fairfield, Ohio, for closing two crossings and building a new bridge over a segment of CSX's Cincinnati Terminal Subdivision. Moreover, New Orleans will get $2.5 million for refurbishing platforms and canopies at the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal, and Crete, Nebraska, will receive $1.1 million to assess eight existing crossings for potential upgrades.

Upgrading Amtrak's Fleet

Amtrak's modernization efforts are supported with $2.05 billion earmarked for purchasing 43 new trainsets manufactured domestically, along with $140 million for revamping 41 locomotives in the Midwest and Pacific routes.

These new trainsets are intended to replace obsolete equipment and expand seating capacity on routes with high traveler demand. Routes set to receive these trainsets include Adirondack, Blue Water, Carolinian, Cascades, Downeaster, Empire, Ethan Allen, Hiawatha, Keystone, Lincoln, Pennsylvanian, Piedmont, River Runner, and Wolverine, among others.

This funding emerges as Amtrak strives to revamp its management structure, with an emphasis on fleet management and equipment modernization.

FRA Administrator David Fink remarked, “The projects we announced today will help make our nation’s rail network much safer because now state DOTs across America will have the funds they need to eliminate dangerous grade crossings across the nation.” He added that the FRA collaborated with Amtrak over two years to determine optimal fund distribution to ensure timely passenger trains and undelayed freight.

Emphasis on Grade-Crossing Safety

The FRA highlights that grade crossings are the second leading cause of rail-related deaths in the United States. The agency's project selection process was centered on crossings with documented safety hazards while taking into account broader service and infrastructure needs.

These funds are part of the National Railroad Partnership Program (NRPP), a federal grant initiative supporting passenger rail projects that improve safety, repair needs, or enhance system performance.

The program is accessible to states, state groups, interstate compacts, public agencies and authorities, political subdivisions, Amtrak, federally recognized Indian tribes, and combinations of eligible entities.

Following the FRA's funding announcement in September, 103 eligible applications were received from 78 applicants, collectively seeking $11.66 billion in federal funding. The $5.3 billion awarded represents only a segment of the requested funds.

The chosen projects cover a wide array of rail improvements, from closing and upgrading grade crossings to repairing passenger terminals and modernizing fleets, addressing infrastructure and equipment needs across the national passenger rail network.

For a list of awardees, click here.