Grants available for railroad crossing safety, emergency reponse projects

The Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, administered by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has more $2 billion available and a June 22, 2026, deadline. 

Now is the time to assess whether your railtown has a qualifying project. 

Members across our network have told us that safety and accessibility around rail infrastructure are real concerns. This program is one of the most direct federal funding opportunities available to address them. 

 WHO CAN APPLY 

Cities, counties, and other political subdivisions of a state are eligible applicants and can apply directly. States, public agencies, and federally recognized Indian Tribes are also eligible. Notably, at least 25% of available funds are reserved specifically for projects in rural areas. 

WHAT KINDS OF PROJECTS QUALIFY 

Projects most relevant to local governments include: 

• Highway-rail grade crossing improvements (signals, gates, separations, lighting, signage, and surface improvements) 

• Rail line relocation projects 

• Trespass prevention measures, including fencing, outreach, and law enforcement coordination 

• Multimodal connection enhancements that connect rail with local roads, transit, or other infrastructure 

• Emergency preparedness plans for communities where hazardous materials move by rail 

• Safety technology deployment 

• Intercity passenger rail station improvements, including accessibility upgrades and family amenities 

Note: If your primary need involves grade crossings, FRA also has a separate Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Program open concurrently. The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) specifically notes that applicants with grade crossing projects are expected to apply under both programs. 

KEY DETAILS 

• Total funding available: $2,039,246,480 

• Federal share: Up to 80% (applicants must provide at least 20% non-federal match) 

• Application deadline: June 22, 2026 at 11:59p EDT 

• Submissions: Via Grants.gov 

• Pre-requisite: Registration in SAM.gov is required before applying. If you're not already registered, start that process today because it can be quite lengthy to get initially registered. 

 ACTION STEPS 

If you believe your railtown or county has a project that could qualify, we hope you'll explore this opportunity. The deadline is real and the window is short! Don't wait to start identifying potential projects and getting your SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations in order. 

We're rooting for every railtown in our network that takes this on. The full NOFO is available online.