U.S. Department of Transportation Awards $350 Million to Eliminate 50 Hazardous Highway-Rail Crossings
Federal Railroad Administration announces $350 million in Rail Crossing Elimination (RCE) grants to construct 50 grade-separated road overpasses and underpasses across 20 states, eliminating blocked trains.
Choseno Federal Railroad & Grade Safety Desk August 24, 2026 1 min read DC, US
★ Choseno Civic Briefing
Key Leaders
WASHINGTON, DC — The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced $350 million in competitive grant awards through the Rail Crossing Elimination (RCE) Program, funding the construction of 50 grade-separated highway overpasses, pedestrian underpasses, and automated track closures in 20 states.
Ending Traffic Gridlock and Emergency Vehicle Delays at Rail Crossings
The funding packages provide up to $30 million per project to eliminate hazardous at-grade intersections where two-mile-long freight trains routinely block road traffic for hours in towns across Indiana, Illinois, Texas, Washington, and Ohio. Eliminating grade crossings prevents catastrophic vehicle-train collisions and ensures emergency fire trucks and ambulances have uninhibited access to community hospitals.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg affirmed that no American should be stranded waiting for emergency medical care because an ambulance is blocked by a stopped freight train.
Mayors and Freight Railroad Support
Mayors of railroad corridor cities commended the grant awards, noting that grade separations restore street connectivity to divided downtown neighborhoods.
Association of American Railroads (AAR) praised the safety enhancements, highlighting improved freight velocity along transcontinental rail arteries.
Groundbreaking Milestones
Civil overpass engineering and bridge construction across selected municipal rail crossings will begin in spring 2027.
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