Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

Washington, DC 20590

COMPANY OVERVIEW

About Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

Contact

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
United States
http://www.fra.dot.gov/
202.493.6024

More Info on Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

Federal Railroad Administration
Fralogo 11071436

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) was created by the Department of Transportation Act of 1966 (49 U.S.C. 103, Section 3(e)(1)). The purpose of FRA is to: promulgate and enforce rail safety regulations; administer railroad assistance programs; conduct research and development in support of improved railroad safety and national rail transportation policy; provide for the rehabilitation of Northeast Corridor rail passenger service; and consolidate government support of rail transportation activities. Today, the FRA is one of ten agencies within the U.S. Department of Transportation concerned with intermodal transportation. It operates through seven divisions under the offices of the Administrator and Deputy Administrator.

Products and Press Releases

Union Station Redevelopment Corporation
A rendering of Washington Union Station.
Rail

FRA awards $1.5 billion in Fed-State grants to improve passenger rail along NEC

Nov. 18, 2024
The $1.5 billion in funding builds on more than $16.4 billion in Fed-State NEC grants announced in 2023 for projects along the corridor.
West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition
 Eau Claire-Twin Cities Passenger Rail Project map.
Infrastructure

Chippewa-St. Croix Rail Commission selects consultant team led by HDR and HNTB to complete Step 1 for Eau Claire-Twin Cities Passenger Rail Project

Step 1, which features the scoping phase, will provide a roadmap for the region to begin rail planning activities and establish the scope of work, schedule and budget for the ...
Amtrak
Amtrak awards first of three crucial construction contracts for Zoo to Paoli Electrification Transmission Line Program.
Infrastructure

Amtrak awards first of three crucial construction contracts for Zoo to Paoli Electrification Transmission Line Program

Oct. 28, 2024
The multi-year program will upgrade the electrification system along an 18-mile section of track between the Zoo Substation in Philadelphia and the Paoli Substation in Chester...
Amtrak
Amtrak trains looking over the city of Chicago.
Infrastructure

FRA issues NOFO for more than $1 billion in Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program grants

Oct. 2, 2024
The new funding builds on $8.2 billion in grants awarded in December 2023 for 10 passenger rail projects across the country, including the first high-speed rail projects in the...
Gateway Development Commission
The first concrete for the Hudson Tunnel Project has been poured at the Tonnelle Avenue construction site.
Infrastructure

Gateway Development Commission executes $3.8 billion Federal-State Partnership Grant agreement with FRA for Hudson Tunnel Project

The FSP Grant agreement completes the $12 billion federal contribution for the Hudson Tunnel Project and immediately obligates the initial $1.9 billion from the grant.
Brightline West
The FRA officially signed the $3 billion grant agreement awarded to the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) for Brightline West.
Infrastructure

FRA signs $3 billion grant agreement for Brightline West project

Sept. 27, 2024
The grant will provide critical funding needed to bring to life a rail system that will significantly reduce travel time between Las Vegas and Southern California.
Amtrak
Amtrak and partners break ground on new Connecticut River Bridge.
Infrastructure

Amtrak and partners break ground on new Connecticut River Bridge

Sept. 6, 2024
The new bridge will support a maximum train operating speed of 70 mph, a 55 percent increase from today’s maximum speed of 45 mph.
Amtrak
Amtrak and partners open Newport News Transportation Center.
Facilities

Amtrak and partners open Newport News Transportation Center

Aug. 22, 2024
The center will provide two daily Amtrak Virginia roundtrips between the city of Newport News and Richmond and Alexandria, Va., Washington, D.C., and cities in the northeast....
Amtrak
Infrastructure

FRA Administrator Bose, FTA Regional Administrator Culotta visit NEC with Amtrak, NJ Transit

Aug. 1, 2024
Bose and Culotta’s visit builds on ongoing work by Amtrak, NJ Transit and FRA in northeast states to tackle the prior service issues following NEC disruptions in New Jersey and...
CHSRA
Infrastructure

California State Transportation Agency, CHSRA renew agreement with FRA

The renewed agreements allows the California State Transportation Agency and CHSRA to continue assuming the FRA’s federal environmental review responsibilities under the National...

Articles & News

BART
Police on a Bay Area Rapid Transit bus.
Management

FRA awards more than $2.4 billion in CRISI funding, FTA issues final rule to improve transit worker safety

Oct. 30, 2024
The CRISI Program will fund 122 rail improvement projects in 41 states and Washington, D.C., while the final rule requires transit agencies across the U.S. to implement comprehensive...
Amtrak
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Infrastructure

FRA awards $8.2 billion in funding for passenger rail projects through two grant programs

Dec. 11, 2023
The funding awarded will support 10 projects ready for construction throughout the U.S., as well as 69 corridors that have been identified for future passenger rail development...
Brightline West
Infrastructure

Brightline West, Raleigh to Richmond Commuter Rail awarded federal rail grants

Dec. 6, 2023
The projects were awarded a combined $4 billion and aim to bring a combined 380 miles of passenger rail service into reality.
Amtrak
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Infrastructure

FRA awards $16.4 billion for 25 passenger rail projects along NEC

Nov. 7, 2023
The investment will overhaul infrastructure that outdates 99 percent of all living Americans by replacing or upgrading 12 major bridges and tunnels that are more than 100 years...
FRA
Northeast-Regional-scaled.jpg
Rail

FRA awards $1.4 billion in funding for 70 rail improvement projects in 35 states and Washington, D.C.

Sept. 26, 2023
The funding is through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and marks the largest amount ever awarded for rail safety and rail supply chain upgrades through the CRISI program...
NTSB
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy speaks at a press conference in June 2022 following the derailment of an Amtrak train in Mendon, Mo.
Safety & Security

NTSB determines probable cause of Amtrak derailments in Missouri, Montana

Aug. 3, 2023
The 2022 Missouri accident was caused by human error with the steep road grade at a crossing being a contributing factor, while the 2021 Montana accident was caused by poor track...
Michigan DOT
Michigan Dot Stateroute Amtrak
Rail

FRA makes nearly $2.3 billion available in federal passenger rail grants

The available funding marks one of the largest investments of the past 50 years to expand intercity passenger and build high-speed rail projects.
Amtrak
A rendering of what the new Susquehanna River Rail Bridges will look like. Two bridges will replace an existing moveable bridge that was opened in 1906.
Infrastructure

Amtrak prepares for $1.5-billion Susquehanna River Rail Bridge replacement project

Nov. 22, 2022
The railroad plans to issue solicitations in the coming months for a design-bid-build contract and a construction manager at risk contract.
Adobe Stock/Markus Mainka
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Rail

FRA opens $1.4 billion in CRISI funding

CRISI grants will invest in a range of projects that will mitigate passenger and freight rail congestion; enhance multi-modal connections and improve and establish new intercity...
Adrianne Malasky
Adrianne R. Malasky Special Assistant to the Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration
40 Under 40

2022 40 Under 40: Adrianne R. Malasky

Aug. 23, 2022
Adrianne R. Malasky, Special Assistant to the Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration

All content from Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

Amtrak
Infrastructure

Amtrak begins Susquehanna River Rail Bridge Project in northeast Maryland

July 22, 2024
The project will ensure continued connectivity along the Northeast Corridor while enabling plans to expand intercity passenger rail service in the region and across the U.S.
Gilberto Mesquita | Adobe Stock 302533355
Rail

FRA issues NOFO for $153 million in Restoration and Enhancement Grant Program funding

July 15, 2024
The funding will target support towards projects that work to establish service on new routes, restore service on routes that formerly had intercity passenger operations and enhance...
FHWA
Rail

FRA issues NOFO for $1.1 million in Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program funding

July 10, 2024
The RCE Grant Program aims to fund projects that work to construct grade separations and upgrade safety devices at crossings.
San Bernardino County Transportation Authority
Vehicles

First hydrogen-powered FLIRT H2 passenger train arrives at San Bernardino Depot Train Station

The new train uses a hybrid hydrogen and battery technology to propel the train and power onboard electrical systems.
Massachusetts Department of Transportation
Infrastructure

MBTA begins train testing on South Coast Rail Project

When complete in spring 2025, the project will restore rail service between Boston, Mass., and the South Coast for the first time in more than 70 years.
Rail

FRA issues two final rules that require railroads to develop certification and training programs for train dispatchers and signal employees

May 21, 2024
The final rules will help ensure that certified dispatchers and signal employees are qualified and fit for duty and builds on FRA actions to increase rail safety and better protect...
Amtrak
Infrastructure

FRA issues NOFO for more than $2 billion in NEC funding

May 15, 2024
The available funding builds on the $16.4 billion for 25 projects of national significance along the corridor that was awarded in 2023.
Adobe Stock/Markus Mainka
Infrastructure

FRA makes $2.4 billion available in FY23 and FY24 CRISI grants

April 1, 2024
The funding for FY23 and FY24 builds on the more than $1.4 billion in CRISI grant selections announced in 2023.
Virginia Railway Express
Rail

FRA awards $900,000 in inaugural IRC grant funding

March 15, 2024
The IRC Grant Program provides new opportunities to entities implementing IRCs to advance multi-state and regional passenger rail service efforts.