FRA: More Than $1.1B Available in RCE Grant Program Funding (UPDATED, 7/18)
As the only competitive discretionary grant program dedicated to improving railroad crossings’ safety and efficiency, the RCE Program, FRA says, “invests in projects that construct grade separations, upgrade safety devices at crossings, or close at-grade crossings where roads and train tracks intersect.” Addressing collisions and blockages at grade crossings has been a top priority for FRA—especially as growing train lengths lead to more frequent and longer blocked crossings—and this funding, FRA adds, “will improve safety and access to communities separated by rail crossings.”
Project applications will be evaluated based on factors, such as whether they “improve safety, increase community connectivity, enhance access to emergency services, improve the mobility of goods, strengthen supply chains, and reduce noise.” At least 20% of RCE Program funding (around $230 million this round) will also be set aside for projects located in rural communities or on Tribal lands, and around $38 million will be available to fund planning projects.
Last year, FRA announced more than 63 RCE Program grants for major projects, such as the construction of a sealed rail corridor in Houston, Texas, as well as overpasses, underpasses, and rail bridges in Pelham, Ala; Hammond, Ind; and Washougal, Wash.
FRA has also already made available billions more in grant funding this year through the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program and the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, both of which the agency says, “will improve safety and efficiency on the nation’s rail network.”
The NOFO is on public inspection in the July 9 edition of the Federal Register and can be found here. Applications for funding are due 75 days after the publication date.
More information about the RCE Program and the NOFO can be found here.
The first webinar discussing the RCE Grant Program will take place July 25. Attendees will receive a general program overview from FRA representatives, as well as a discussion of eligibility requirements and project evaluation and selection criteria.
Applications for RCE funding are due Sept. 23. Approximately $1.14 billion will be available for highway-rail or pathway-rail grade crossing improvement projects, including planning projects. To apply for funding, railroads must partner with eligible public entities including states, Tribes, local governments and public port authorities.
Click here to register for the webinar.
