Transportation Department announces $2.3 billion for rail safety and $1.6 billion for disaster road repairs

First, the Federal Railroad Administration selected 105 freight and passenger rail projects across 45 states and Washington, D.C. for $2.3 billion under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program, paired with more than $1.9 billion in state, local and private matching funds. [1]

The rail awards cover more than 2,000 miles of track upgrades, 49 grade-crossing improvements and 87 short-line railroad projects. Separately, the Federal Highway Administration allocated more than $1.6 billion in Emergency Relief funds across 34 states, D.C. and four territories to reimburse storm, flood and landslide repairs—including $873 million for Hurricane Helene road reconstruction in North Carolina and $81 million for storm damage in Hawaii. [1][2]

Grant selections and emergency allocations mark the transition from competitive review to project execution, not completed construction. State departments of transportation and rail operators must still execute final grant agreements before federal reimbursements flow. [1][2]