Early Notice: Federal Rail Grant Opportunity Likely Coming Soon
- Britni Eisenmann
- Mar 16
- 2 min read
We want to share an early heads-up about a major federal rail funding opportunity that could be relevant for railtowns working on rail safety and accessibility projects.
This update comes from Chuck Baker, President of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), who recently shared information circulating within the U.S. Department of Transportation. While the details are not yet official, they appear to be well sourced.
CRISI funding announcement expected soon
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is expected to release the next Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant notice soon, possibly within the next week or two.
This round is expected to combine FY25 and FY26 funding, totaling roughly $2 billion available nationwide for rail infrastructure and safety improvements.
Your railtown may need to move quickly
One of the most important takeaways is that the application window may be much shorter than usual, possibly 30 to 45 days once the funding notice is released.
Because of this compressed timeline, railtowns considering projects will want to begin discussions with railroads and partners now, rather than waiting for the official announcement.
Projects that improve safety and infrastructure remain a priority
Based on current signals, FRA is continuing to focus on practical infrastructure improvements that improve safety and reliability. Examples that may involve railtown partnerships include:
Track improvements that increase freight capacity or reliability
Bridge upgrades
Infrastructure that improves safety in rail corridors
Projects that reduce truck traffic on local roads by shifting freight to rail
These types of projects can have significant benefits for communities, including improved rail safety, reduced roadway congestion, and support for local economic activity.
Partnerships may be important
As in the past, it's expected that public partners, including cities, counties, port authorities, and other public agencies, will be able to serve as applicants or partners for CRISI projects. In many cases, projects involve collaboration between railtowns and the railroads operating in their area.
FRA is also encouraging applicants to bring local matching funds above the typical 20% minimum, where possible.
Preparation steps railtowns can take now
Communities considering applying or partnering on a project may want to begin:
Identifying potential rail projects
Talking with local railroads or other partners
Considering possible local or state matching funds
Reviewing materials from previous CRISI funding rounds
Because the official notice has not yet been released, some details may still change. However, the expected short timeline means early preparation could be critical.
Resources related applying for federal rail grants can be found at the links below, including a Railtowns.org webinar with an FRA Transportation Industry Analyst.
We will continue to monitor for the official announcement and will share updates when the CRISI Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is formally released.
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