FRA makes grants available to improve highway-rail crossings

The Federal Railroad Administration is seeking applications for $10 million in competitive grant funding available to states to improve highway-rail crossing safety.    The U.S. Transportation Department’s Federal Railroad Administration is seeking applications for $10 million in competitive grant funding available to states to improve highway-rail grade crossings and tracks along routes frequently used by railroads to transport crude oil and ethanol.  
   The funding is part of the railroad safety grants for the Safe Transportation of Energy Products (STEP) by Rail Program.
   “The U.S. Department of Transportation has made increasing safety at highway-rail grade crossings, especially along routes transporting energy products, one of its top priorities,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in a statement. “This money allows the Department to support innovative ideas and solutions developed at the local level, and I encourage states to apply for this funding.”
   Details about the application process are available on the FRA website.
   According to DOT, collisions at highway-rail crossings are the second-leading cause of railroad-related deaths. In 2014, 269 individuals died in these collisions.
   “Highway-rail grade crossing accidents are frequently the result of a driver’s lack of awareness of a crossing or an oncoming train or a driver’s attempt to ‘beat the train,’” DOT said.  
   Earlier this year, FRA stepped up its campaign to prevent collisions at highway-rail grade crossings through increased education, stronger enforcement and enhanced engineering.  
   In the GROW AMERICA legislation, DOT has proposed forming new grant program that would make $250 million available to local communities for highway-rail grade crossings as well as other critical rail infrastructure projects. DOT has also proposed continuing the Federal Highway Administration’s $220 million per year grant program for highway rail grade crossing projects.