Infrastructure act could mean more help for Texas grade crossing safety
December 6th, 2021
December 6, 2021 - TRA Newswire -
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) signed by President Biden could mean that more Texas grade crossings could get some federal love. A new dedicated grant program, part of the $1.2 billion IIJA, will provide $600 million a year for eliminating or separating areas where railroads and motorists interact.
The new program, spearheaded by Sens. Maria Cantwell (WA) and Roy Blunt (MO), is on top of expanded funding ($245 million) for the Section 130 program that Texas currently participates in to enhance safety at crossings. Freight railroads have long advocated for such funding, which will be available to states, cities and tribes. In previous years, the Texas Department of Transportation received about $25 million per annum, only enough to upgrade a handful of rail crossings with improvements.
Based on 2020 preliminary figures from the Federal Railroad Administration, Texas was ranked #1 in the number of collisions at highway-rail grade crossings with 191 incidents. Eleven people lost their lives at grade-crossing accidents and 69 were injured. California was ranked #2 with Georgia #3. Texas has over 10,000 miles of railroads, the most of any state.
With the IIJA just signed into law, procedures to implement the various provisions will be laid out in the coming months, including how states and other entities can participate in funding opportunities.
Per 23 USC 130(d), each State is required to conduct and maintain a survey of all highways to identify railroad crossings that may require separation, relocation, or protective devices, and establish and implement a schedule of projects. At a minimum, this schedule is to provide signs for all railway-highway crossings.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) signed by President Biden could mean that more Texas grade crossings could get some federal love. A new dedicated grant program, part of the $1.2 billion IIJA, will provide $600 million a year for eliminating or separating areas where railroads and motorists interact.
The new program, spearheaded by Sens. Maria Cantwell (WA) and Roy Blunt (MO), is on top of expanded funding ($245 million) for the Section 130 program that Texas currently participates in to enhance safety at crossings. Freight railroads have long advocated for such funding, which will be available to states, cities and tribes. In previous years, the Texas Department of Transportation received about $25 million per annum, only enough to upgrade a handful of rail crossings with improvements.
Based on 2020 preliminary figures from the Federal Railroad Administration, Texas was ranked #1 in the number of collisions at highway-rail grade crossings with 191 incidents. Eleven people lost their lives at grade-crossing accidents and 69 were injured. California was ranked #2 with Georgia #3. Texas has over 10,000 miles of railroads, the most of any state.
With the IIJA just signed into law, procedures to implement the various provisions will be laid out in the coming months, including how states and other entities can participate in funding opportunities.
Per 23 USC 130(d), each State is required to conduct and maintain a survey of all highways to identify railroad crossings that may require separation, relocation, or protective devices, and establish and implement a schedule of projects. At a minimum, this schedule is to provide signs for all railway-highway crossings.