FRA Issues NOFO For $2.4B in CRISI Grant Funding

FRA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On March 29, 2024, the FRA issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) in the Federal Register for CRISI grant funding.

The Federal Railroad Administration announced it has made more than $2.4 billion in Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant funding available by issuing a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Funded via the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the grant funding will go toward investing in rail infrastructure, “allowing people and goods to move with greater safety, efficiency, and reliability.” The funding opportunity announced on March 29^th includes Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024 and “builds off of $1.4 billion in CRISI grant selections last year.”

The NOFO was published in the Federal Register. Applications for funding are due by May 28, 2024 no later than 11:59 p.m. and can be submitted via www.Grants.gov. 

Last year, the FRA chose 70 projects across 35 states and Washington, D.C. These projects included “bridge, track, and grade crossing improvements to investments in restoring and expanding intercity passenger rail corridors.” For supply chain fluidity, these CRISI grants support local economies and short line railroads. Additionally, the grants can “support important workforce development and training programs to retain current employees and attract new individuals to the rail industry.” The FRA goes on to say “investments in infrastructure and the rail workforce through FRA’s railroad development programs are a major part of this national effort to create a modern transportation network that will keep Americans safe and make the U.S. competitive in the 21st century. “

“Today we’re opening the biggest funding round in history for the program that modernizes freight and intercity passenger rail infrastructure,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “This funding will make it safer, more affordable, more sustainable, and more efficient for people and goods to move by rail across the country.” 

“Every year, FRA sees extraordinarily high demand for CRISI grant funds, which help railroads, states, and local communities meet vital needs for safety and economic development and growth,” said FRA Administrator Amit Bose. “In addition, by funding freight and passenger rail transportation, CRISI-funded projects improve the fluidity of the national rail network and make it easier and safer for goods and people to move by rail across the country.”