DOT Invests $1.24 Billion in Rail Crossing Safety

The Department of Transportation awarded 91 grants across 37 states to eliminate dangerous road-rail conflicts.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Transportation

Concrete highway overpass arching above a straight steel railway line across open flat terrain under clear daylight. — The Department of Transportation awarded $1.24 billion across 91 grants in 37 states on October 30 to eliminate dangerous road-rail crossing conflicts. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should the federal government spend more money on rail crossing safety?

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced $1.24 billion in Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program funding on October 30, 2026, awarding 91 grants across 37 states. The projects target rail crossings to improve safety and reduce conflicts between road and rail traffic.

Why it matters

The grants aim to eliminate conflicts between road and rail traffic, improve emergency response access, and reduce delays caused by blocked crossings nationwide. The investments follow the Department's nearly $10 billion in rail funding this year.

The Texas Department of Transportation will receive $46 million for a Fort Worth overpass, while the Port Authority of Kansas City will receive $72 million to eliminate three at-grade crossings. Project completion dates for these awards were not specified in the announcement.

The players

U.S. Department of Transportation

The federal cabinet department responsible for national transportation policy, including highways, aviation, and rail infrastructure.

Federal Railroad Administration

The agency within the Department of Transportation that administers federal rail safety regulation and grant programs.

The details

The funding is distributed through the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program administered by the Federal Railroad Administration. Projects include grade separations that carry roads over railways, closures of at-grade crossings, and upgrades linking railway warning systems to road traffic signals.

October 2026: Federal Railroad Administration awarded $2.3 billion through the CRISI Grant Program.
October 30, 2026: Department announced $1.24 billion in Railroad Crossing Elimination grant funding.

Market Landscape

The grants come as the Department reports nearly $10 billion in rail investment this year, placing crossing safety within a broader federal push for American rail. The Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program is the vehicle channeling these dollars into specific local road-rail conflict points.

Drivers in the affected communities may see projects that close at-grade crossings or add overpasses, which can reduce blocked-crossing delays. Project timelines for individual sites were not specified in the announcement.

The takeaway

Rail crossing projects funded through these grants can reduce delays and improve emergency access where roads and tracks intersect. Watch for local announcements of construction timelines in your state or city.