FRA's $1.24 billion crossing grants fund construction on only 37 of 91 projects
The Federal Railroad Administration picked 91 rail crossing projects in 37 states for $1.24 billion on Oct. 30, but only 37 include construction in their federally funded scope, an ENR review of agency records found. Those 37 take nearly 90% of the money.
The awards come from FRA's Railroad Crossing Elimination program for fiscal 2025 and 2026, announced by Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. The money pays to separate roads from tracks, close at-grade crossings and upgrade railroad signals, the Department of Transportation said. According to Railway Supply, 264 applications sought about $4.9 billion, and the previous round funded 123 projects.
ENR treated a project as including construction only if FRA listed construction among its funded phases. The other 54 cover only planning, project development or final design. The largest award, $107.7 million, goes to New York State's transportation department to finish design, buy right-of-way and build an overpass carrying Roaring Brook Road over Metro-North's Harlem Line in New Castle. Caltrain gets $90.4 million toward its Broadway grade separation in Burlingame, Calif., a job estimated at $662 million, and the Port Authority of Kansas City gets $72 million to replace three crossings with one grade separation.
A grant is not a bid date. Caltrain says Broadway could break ground in November 2028 at the earliest, if it closes its funding gap; Flatiron-Herzog is already on board as construction manager/general contractor. Utah DOT expects to build its Sharp-Tintic rail connection in 2028 and 2029, while Nampa, Idaho, sees no start on its $43 million Robinson Road overpass before early 2030, ENR reported.
The selections are not final either. FRA still has to negotiate a grant agreement with each sponsor and can change or withdraw a selection before signing, Railway Supply reported. FRA did not answer ENR's question about how many of the 37 will reach procurement within 18 months.
Why it matters: Several of the biggest grade separations are two years or more from construction. Design firms can chase the 54 planning and design awards now; civil contractors should track the 37 construction-stage owners for prequalification and CM/GC calls.
Sources
- GOLDEN AGE OF RAIL: Trump's Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Invests Over $1.24 Billion into Safety Upgrades Across America's Rail SystemUS Department of Transportation, Oct 30
- FRA puts $1.24 billion into 91 crossing projects, down from 123 last roundRailway Supply, Oct 31
- $1.2B Rail Funding Package Covers 91 Crossing Projects; Only 37 Include ConstructionENR, Nov 2