24/7 EMERGENCY +1 985 781 0804
hero img

Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program

Download Document

Grant Insights

The purpose of the Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program is to support highway-rail or pathway-rail grade crossing improvement projects that focus on improving the safety and mobility of people and goods. In addition to improving safety, the funding agency seeks to support projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and are designed with specific elements to promote energy efficiency, support fiscally responsible land use and efficient transportation design, increase climate resilience, support domestic manufacturing, and reduce pollution. Program funds are authorized through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

The agency intends to award projects aligned with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) strategic goals of improving safety, economic strength and global competitiveness, equity, climate and sustainability, and transformation of our Nation’s transportation infrastructure.

Key Updates U.S. Department of Transportation –
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
Funding Opportunity Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program –
Pending FY24 Release
NOFO Release Date TBD (FY22 NOFO was released 07/06/2022)
Application Due Date TBD (FY22 Application was due 10/11/2022) via www.Grants.gov
# of Programs

1. Highway-Rail or Pathway-Rail Grade Crossing Improvement Projects
 
*This includes planning, environmental review, and design of eligible projects
Total Funding Available  TBD (FY22 Total was $573,264,000; the IIJA/BIL appropriates $600M annually to the RCE Program through FY26. These levels are subject to change)
Award Minimum TBD (FY22 minimum was $1,000,000; except for planning projects)
Award Maximum TBD (FY22 NOFO did not include maximum award amounts; however, no more than 20% of the grant funds available are to be awarded to projects in any single state)
Recipient Cost-Share/Match Requirements:

Applicants must provide at least 20% of the total project costs via non-Federal matching contributions (based on the FY22 NOFO).
Summary

Eligible Projects: (include, but are not limited to)
· Highway-rail or pathway-rail grade crossing improvement projects that focus on improving the safety and mobility of people and goods
· Grade separation or closure, including through the use of a bridge, embankment, tunnel, or combination thereof
· Track relocation
· Improvement or installation of protective devices, signals, signs, or other measures that improve safety, provided that such activities are related to a separation or relocation project
· Other means to improve the safety and mobility of people and goods at highway-rail grade crossings, including technological solutions
· A group of related projects described above that would collectively improve the mobility of people and goods
· Planning, environmental reviews, and design of an eligible project described above
Eligible Applicants
  • States; District of Columbia; Puerto Rico; and other U.S. Territories
  • Political Subdivisions of a State
  • Federally Recognized Indian Tribes
  • Units of Local Government or Groups of Local Governments
  • Public Port Authorities
  • Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs)
  • Groups of Eligible Entities
*An applicant’s past performance in developing and delivering similar projects will be considered during the evaluation.
**An application may identify entities that are not eligible applicants as project partners.
Special Consideration

Planning Project Set-Aside: at least 3% of the total grant funds available, or $18 million; and of this set-aside, at least 25% or $4.5 million will be made available for projects located in rural areas or on tribal lands
Rural Areas and Tribal Lands Set-Aside: at least 20% of the total grant funds available, or $114,652,800; and of this set-aside, at least 5% or $5,732,640 will be made available for projects in counties of 20 or fewer residents per square mile according to the most recent decennial census
Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Information and Education Projects Set-Aside: at least $1.5 million
 
The funding agency seeks to fund projects that, to the extent possible, target at least 40% of resources and benefits toward low-income communities, disadvantaged communities, communities underserved by affordable transportation, or overburdened communities.
Notes Evaluation Criteria of Project Benefits:
  • Improves safety at highway-rail or pathway-rail grade crossings
  • Proposes to separate, eliminate, or close one or more highway-rail or pathway-rail grade crossing
  • Improves the mobility of both people and goods
  • Reduces emissions, protects the environment, and provides community benefit, including noise reduction
  • Improves access to emergency services and communities
  • Provides economic benefit
  • Uses contracting incentives to employ local labor to the extent permissible under Federal law

Additionally, the funding agency intends to prioritize projects that support the creation of good-paying jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union; the incorporation of strong labor standards and training; and placement programs, particularly registered apprenticeships and Local Hire agreements, in project planning stages. Projects that incorporate such planning considerations are expected to support a strong economy and labor market.
 
A list of previously awarded FY22 RCE Program Projects can be found on the USDOT– FRA website:
Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Program Program FY2022 Selections | FRA (dot.gov)
Contact Information Name: Douglas Gascon
Agency: USDOT - FRA
Email/Phone: douglas.gascon@dot.gov (preferred); and (202) 493-0239

Have Questions?