FRA 14-22

September 1, 2022

Contact: FRA Public Affairs

Tel.: (202) 493-6024 

FRAPA@DOT.gov

Biden-Harris Administration, USDOT Make an Unprecedented $1.4 Billion in Rail 

Grants Available Through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

New Funding Will Improve America’s Freight and Passenger Rail Network, Strengthen Supply Chains,

and Lay the Groundwork for Future Growth

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation today issued a Notice of Funding 

Opportunity (NOFO) announcing the availability of over $1.4 billion in Consolidated Rail Infrastructure 

and Safety Improvement (CRISI) Grant funding. The CRISI Program, which is administered by the 

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), advances projects that modernize America’s freight and 

passenger rail infrastructure, allowing people and goods to move more safely and efficiently and helping 

make goods more affordable for American families. This year, President Biden’s Bipartisan 

Infrastructure Law more than triples funding for the CRISI Program – a much-needed step to meet the 

heavy demand for rail funding from States and local communities. The program allocates at least 25% of 

total funds for projects in rural areas. 

"Freight rail is a critical part of our supply chains, and when shipping costs come down, families pay 

less for goods,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "Today, because of President Biden's 

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we're thrilled to announce the biggest-round of funding ever to make both 

passenger and freight trains across America safer, faster, and more reliable.”

Higher funding levels enabled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will also accelerate progress in 

building up infrastructure resilience and strengthening the supply chain, which in turns makes it less 

expensive to transport goods. The influx of new grant opportunities will allow FRA to invest in a wide 

range of projects that will mitigate passenger and freight rail congestion; enhance multi-modal 

connections; and improve and establish new intercity passenger rail corridors. Furthermore, CRISI 

grants are a major source of funding for short line railroads, whose operations bolster local economies 

and are crucial for supply chain fluidity. These nationwide investments will advance the Department’s 

key goals of infrastructure safety, efficiency, economic vitality, equity, and resiliency. 

U.S Department of Transportation

Office of Public Affairs

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Washington, DC 20590

www.transportation.gov/briefingroom 

News
“Projects funded by these CRISI grants will generate economic opportunities and improve the travel 

experience in communities across America, whether urban or rural, large or small,” said FRA 

Administrator Amit Bose. “With the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s massive boost to the CRISI 

Program, the funding made available today will help launch our country’s new rail revolution and 

maintain our rail network’s unmatched standards for safety and efficiency.”

In addition to projects that improve and expand freight and passenger rail infrastructure, CRISI grants 

will focus on safety projects such as grade crossing enhancements and rail line relocations and 

improvements as well as other priorities, including workforce development and training, regional rail 

and corridor planning, environmental analyses, and research and deployment of railroad safety 

technology. New project eligibilities also include measures to prevent trespassing and to rehabilitate, 

remanufacture, procure, or overhaul locomotives for emissions reduction projects. 

The NOFO is published in today’s Federal Register here. Applications for funding are due 90 days after 

this date. FRA will support applicants with web-based training and technical assistance. More 

information about the CRISI Program can be found on FRA’s website here. 

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