Washington, D.C. — Safe and efficient railroad crossings are vital to community well-being—protecting lives, reducing congestion, and keeping people and goods moving. Yet for many local leaders, improving crossing safety can feel complex, especially when it involves federal funding, regulatory requirements, and coordination with railroads.
To help communities better understand their options, GoRail recently hosted a webinar focused on the Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) program, now also known as the Crossing Safety program, one of the federal government’s most significant investments in rail safety.
On May 6, GoRail’s Pathways to Safer Crossings: Navigating the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program webinar welcomed experts from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to walk more than 1,000 registered participants through the program’s latest funding opportunity and application process.
“Programs like the Railroad Crossing Elimination program are helping communities take meaningful steps to improve safety, reduce congestion, and strengthen mobility,” said Betsy Cantwell, President of GoRail. “We consistently hear from state and local leaders just how important safe and efficient crossings are in their communities.”
A Critical Funding Opportunity
FRA recently released a combined FY 2025–2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), making more than $1.1 billion available nationwide. Applications are due June 8, and this round represents the final funding authorized for the program under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
“This is the last of the currently appropriated funds for this program,” said Jenny Zeng, Supervisory Transportation Industry Analyst and RCE Program Lead at FRA. “There’s $1.1 billion on the table right now, and we really encourage communities to take advantage of this opportunity.”
Established in 2021 through the IIJA, the RCE Program funds projects that eliminate or significantly improve at-grade railroad crossings, with a focus on safety and mobility.
Eligible Projects and Applicants
Eligible projects include grade separations, crossing closures, installation or upgrades of safety devices, pathway-rail crossing improvements, and planning or environmental review work.
“The program is about funding crossing projects that directly improve safety and mobility,” said Jenny Mancino, Transportation Industry Analyst at FRA. “Any improvements need to clearly relate to the grade crossing itself.”
Eligible applicants are public entities, including states, cities, counties, metropolitan planning organizations, port authorities, and Tribal governments. Railroads remain key partners but cannot apply directly.
All grants require a minimum 20 percent non-federal cost share, and most projects must request at least $1 million, except for planning-only awards.
“If you don’t demonstrate that 20 percent match, the application is considered ineligible,” Mancino emphasized.
What Makes a Strong Application
FRA evaluates applications using three broad criteria:
- Project readiness
- Technical merit
- Project benefits, especially safety improvements
“Safety is always our top priority,” said Reagan Morgan, Transportation Industry Analyst at FRA. “We really encourage applicants to include data—like five years of incident history—and to clearly explain how their project will meaningfully reduce risk at the crossing.”
In addition to these core criteria, FRA also applies selection preferences, including for projects that:
- Eliminate crossings through grade separation or relocation
- Improve a corridor of multiple related crossings
- Advance projects into final design or construction
- Build on previously funded RCE projects
“We’re not just looking at whether a project is eligible,” Zeng said. “We’re also looking at how much it improves safety, how ready it is to move forward, and how clearly the story of the project is told.”
Clearing Up Common Questions
During a robust Q&A session, FRA staff addressed several common areas of confusion.
One participant asked if they could bundle a crossing-safety project that would also establish a quiet zone. While some RCE-funded safety improvements may help support a future quiet zone designation, it is a separate federal process.
“You can’t apply for a quiet zone through RCE,” Mancino explained. “But improvements funded under this program may contribute to safety enhancements that support a quiet zone later on.”
There were several questions that addressed existing grade separations. However, projects that rehab or repair already grade-separated crossings are not eligible under RCE, as the program is focused on new separations or improvements.
Applicants also asked about bundling multiple crossings into one application. FRA confirmed that this is allowed, as long as the crossings function as a cohesive project and are not grouped solely to meet the $1 million minimum.
“Tell the story of why those crossings belong together,” Zeng advised. “That context makes a big difference.”
Looking Ahead
FRA anticipates announcing awards in late summer or early fall, and there is no fixed deadline for when RCE funds must be spent once awarded. However, with IIJA authorization set to expire, this round carries added urgency.
“This may be the last round under current law,” Mancino noted. “If you’re considering a crossing safety project, now is the time to apply.”
GoRail will continue advocating for sustained federal investment in rail safety programs as Congress approaches surface transportation reauthorization.
“These programs save lives and strengthen communities,” Cantwell said. “We’re committed to making sure they continue into the future.”
