The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has awarded eight grants totaling more than $21.2 million that invest in highway-rail grade crossing safety, Positive Train Control (PTC) implementation, and passenger rail. FRA awarded the grants as part of a Notice of Funding Availability it issued in July 2014 to distribute new FY14 Omnibus funding as well as unobligated funds from the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program.

“These projects are examples of the positive work we could do if we had predictable, dedicated funding for rail,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “The GROW AMERICA Act is a blueprint for continued economic growth that will help us further strengthen rail’s safety record, close the nation’s infrastructure deficit, and modernize the nation’s freight and passenger rail network.”

The eight grants were awarded in states across the country and feature a wide array of projects:

Grade Crossing Safety

• California Department of Transportation:  Pacific Surfliner Chesterfield Drive Crossing Improvements – $2,236,550
• Illinois Department of Transportation:  Springfield, Ill. Ash Street Underpass –$2,000,000

Positive Train Control

• Transportation Technology Center, Inc.:  PTC Implementation Project Interoperable
• Train Control Messaging Security – $432,000
• Amtrak:  Wireless Communication and Key Management Implementation – $2,640,000
• ARINC Inc.:  Implementation of PTC Shared Network and User Support – $4,992,799
• Metropolitan Transportation Authority: Metro North Hudson Line PTC – $3,000,000

Passenger Rail Planning

• California Department of Transportation:  Coachella Valley-San Gorgonio Pass Corridor Investment Plan – $2,982,050
• Illinois Department of Transportation:  Chicago Union Station Terminal Planning Study – $3,000,000

“Enhancing grade crossing safety, investing in the deployment of PTC, and funding planning efforts are investments that will make our rail network safer, more reliable, and efficient,” said Acting Federal Railroad Administrator Sarah Feinberg. “Continuous investment in rail infrastructure will enable us to meet the growing demand for rail and to keep people living along rail lines safe.”

The GROW AMERICA Act is a long-term transportation bill the Department sent to Congress, which provides funding growth and certainty so that state and local governments can continue to improve our infrastructure. It invests $478 billion over six years to make critical investments in infrastructure needed to promote long-term economic growth, enhance safety and efficiency, and support jobs for the 21st century.