Rail crossings are a vital part of our transportation infrastructure, but they also present real challenges. With over 2,000 incidents and 200 deaths annually, at-grade rail crossings are the second leading cause of rail-related fatalities in the U.S. It's clear that more can—and should—be done to protect lives and improve mobility.
Mary Scott Nabers, writing for Railway Age, highlights promising grade-crossing elimination projects across the country. These efforts, backed by federal, state, and local funding, aim to separate roadways from rail lines, reducing congestion, increasing safety, and ensuring that emergency responders can get where they’re needed.
Take the $52 million project in Pelham, Alabama, for example. A new bridge will replace two dangerous crossings, freeing up blocked roads and ensuring better access for emergency vehicles. Or the $61.8 million Glendale, California project, which will eliminate a high-traffic crossing ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics, creating safer, more efficient connections between Glendale and Los Angeles.
Projects like these are investments in lives, communities, and commerce. They're a commonsense approach to addressing a persistent issue with real benefits for public safety and economic growth.
Programs like the USDOT/FRA Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant ensure that we can continue this momentum, tackling long-standing infrastructure challenges in ways that benefit both the public and private sectors. By building bridges—literally and figuratively—across America, we ensure a safer, more efficient and prosperous American future.
Got dangerous or regularly blocked crossings in your community? Get in touch and we can help your leaders identify the fixes and funding you need.