FRA Opens $2.04bn CRISI Round for U.S. Rail, Applications Due 22 June

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced on 20 April 2026 that $2.04bn is being made available through the Federal Railroad Administration's Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) programme, covering fiscal years 2025 and 2026 together.

This is a notice of funding opportunity, not an award announcement: applicants have until 22 June 2026 to file and no recipients have been named. The combined FY2025-26 round is the largest sum CRISI has put on the table at once. It targets the gaps in network capacity, safety systems and operational efficiency that constrain both Amtrak services and freight movements across major corridors, with eligible work spanning electrification, positive train control upgrades, bridge replacements and terminal modernisation.

The CRISI programme distributes grants through competitive selection, with projects evaluated on safety improvements, economic benefits and network connectivity enhancements. Federal matching requirements typically range from 20% to 50%, depending on project type and applicant category. State departments of transportation, freight railroads, passenger rail operators and regional transportation authorities qualify for funding across multiple project categories.

Previous CRISI rounds have funded major initiatives including the Portal North Bridge replacement in New Jersey, Chicago Union Station improvements, and various grade separation projects. The programme runs under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which authorised increased annual CRISI funding through 2026. The notice follows recent federal investments in high-speed rail development and Amtrak fleet modernisation, positioning rail as a central component of national transportation policy.