The U.S. Department of Transportation published a notice of funding opportunity for up to $50 million in grants for commuter railroads interested in improving safety at grade crossings. Applications are open through October 26, 2020 and funding will be awarding by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) through the Commuter Authority Rail Safety Improvement (CARSI) Grants Program.

In coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Federal Transit Administration, the FHWA under CARSI will provide the grants to commuter-rail authorities to help eliminate hazards at grade crossings. 

An eligible commuter authority must have experienced at least one accident investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board between Jan. 1, 2008, and Dec. 31, 2018, and for which the NTSB issued an accident report.

In a press release, Federal Highway Administrator Nicole R. Nason said, “Safety is always our top priority at the Department under the leadership of Secretary Chao. These grants will help our state, local and regional transportation partners better protect the lives of those traveling on America’s roads and rails.”

Added Federal Transit Administration Deputy Administrator K. Jane Williams, “Working together with FHWA and FRA, we can improve safety around highway-rail crossings and prevent collisions, injuries and fatalities. Rail safety includes encouraging safe behavior around all rail crossings; it’s about making sure the American public is safe near all rail tracks.”