WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration today announced more than $1.1 billion in grants for projects to improve, eliminate, or study grade crossings, funding 123 projects that will address more than 1,000 crossings nationwide.
That announcement came at the same time the FRA announced more than $146 million in funding to improve passenger service on six lines [see “Six rail routes receive federal grants …,” Trains News Wire, Jan. 10, 2025].
Projects in 41 states are receiving the crossing funds under the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program. They will fund underpasses and bridges to separate crossings as well as other enhancements.
“The Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program funding we’re announcing today,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a press release, “is a sweeping effort that directly supports cities, towns, and villages in every region of the country in their efforts to protect lives, prevent drivers being delayed by blocked crossings, and improve the overall quality of life for their citizens.”
The largest single program to be funded, $204 million for the Assembly Street Separation Project in Columbia, S.C., was previously announced [see “Columbia, S.C., receives federal funding …,” Trains News Wire, Jan. 8, 2025]; some projects in California and Massachusetts have also been announced [see “Twelve rail-related projects in California …,” News Wire, Jan. 7, 2025, and “Five Massachusetts projects …,” News Wire, Jan. 10, 2025]
The 10 largest projects not previously reported include:
— $89.6 million for the Le Grand, Calif., overcrossing project to improve crossings on the Union Pacific in Merced County, and lay the groundwork for future high-speed rail service. The California High Speed Rail Authority is providing a 20% match.
— $73.4 million for separation of State Route 85 and Canadian National tracks in Trenton, Mich. Funds will support final design and construction. CN and the Michigan Department of Transportation will provide a match of at least 20%.
— $73.1 million for grade crossing eliminations in Farwell, Texas, and Texico, N.M. The project will construct a new Texico bypass roadway, separating one crossing and closing two others. BNSF and departments of Transportation in Texas and New Mexico will provide the 20% matching funds.
— $66.7 million for the Cornhusker Viaduct project in Lincoln, Neb. Funds will address final design, right-of-way acquisition and construction of a bridge to eliminate two grade crossings at North 3rd and Adams streets. BNSF, the city of Lincoln, and the Railroad Transportation Safety District will provide the 20% match.
— $44.9 million for the Allison Road grade separation project in Gallup, N.M. A bridge will carry Allison Road over BNSF’s main line to connect with Florence Street. BNSF, the New Mexico DOT, and the city of Gallup will contribute the 20% match.
— $43.1 million for CREATE project GS1 in the Chicago area. The funds will support final design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction along the Belt Railway of Chicago in the Clearing West neighborhood and the villages of Bedford Park and Summit. Belt Railway and the Illinois Department of Transportation will contribute a 20% match.
— $32.3 million for the Reed Market Road separation project in Bend, Ore., which will replace an existing crossing. BNSF Railway and the city of Bend will provide a 30% match.
— $29.8 million for grade separation on Alaska’s Park’s Highway in Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The Alaska Railroad Corp. and Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities will provide the 20% match.
— $27.2 million for the Gougar Road separation project in New Lenox., Ill, to build a roadway overpass over Canadian National tracks. Will County and the Illinois Commerce Commission will provide the 20% match.
— $26.3 million for the Race Road project in North Ridgeville, Ohio. The project will separate Race Road from Norfolk Southern tracks and close a grade crossing at Maddock Road, eliminating all crossings in a 3-mile stretch of the NS line. The Ohio Rail Development Commission, North Ridgeville, and NS will contribute the 20% match.
The complete list of projects to receive funding is available here.
