FRA to award funding for rail grade-crossing, hazmat safety

Washington – The Federal Railroad Administration is seeking applicants for $10 million in grant funding for states to improve railroad safety.

The funding is available to states that can develop innovative solutions to reduce grade-crossing incidents and provide track enhancements that promote the safe transportation of hazardous materials. Applications are due by Nov. 4 and should be submitted via Grants.gov.

FRA says safety has increased at highway-rail grade crossings in the past decade, but much work remains to be done. In 2014, 269 people were killed at grade crossings – the second leading cause of all railroad-related fatalities.

“Most of these deaths are completely preventable, and that is why the Federal Railroad Administration has redoubled its efforts to reverse last year’s upward trend,” FRA Acting Administrator Sarah Feinberg said in a press release. “These funds will allow states to take innovative ideas and make them a reality to increase safety and decrease fatalities.”