Overview:  This program will fund projects that improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of passenger and freight rail. Applications for the CRISI grant program are due by 5 p.m. EDT on June 21, 2018. See the FY 2017 Notice of Funding Opportunity for more information. 

Legislative Authority:  

This program was authorized in Section 11301 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, Pub. L. 114-94 (2015); 49 U.S.C. § 24407. Funding under this program was made available by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017, Public Law No. 115-31, Division K, Title I.

Amount:  $65,232,400, where:

• Projects totaling $56,933,567 were selected under the February 21, 2018 NOFO.

Eligible Projects:

Projects eligible for funding under this grant program include:

• Deployment of railroad safety technology (PTC/rail integrity inspection systems)
• Capital projects
• Highway-rail grade crossing improvement projects
• Rail line relocation and improvement projects
• Regional rail and corridor service development plans and environmental analyses
• Any project necessary to enhance multimodal connections or facilitate service integration between rail service and other modes
• The development and implementation of a safety program or institute

Eligible Recipients:

(1)       State;
(2)       Group of States;
(3)       Interstate Compact;
(4)       Public agency or publicly chartered authority established by one or more States;
(5)       Political subdivision of a State;
(6)       Amtrak or another rail carrier that provides intercity rail passenger transportation;
(7)       Class II railroad or Class III railroad;
(8)       Any rail carrier or rail equipment manufacturer in partnership with at least one of the entities described in (1) through (5);
(9)       Transportation Research Board together with any entity with which it contracts in the development of rail-related research, including cooperative research programs;
(10)   University transportation center engaged in rail-related research; or
(11)   Non-profit labor organization representing a class or craft of employees of rail carriers or rail carrier contractors.

News:  

February 8, 2019 Press Release
February 15, 2018 Press Release