# FRA Funds Rail Crossing Upgrades

The Federal Railroad Administration announced **$1.24 billion in Railroad Crossing Elimination grants** for 91 rail-safety projects across 37 states, funding grade separations, crossing closures, and signal upgrades. In Massachusetts, a $30 million award will support the Front and First Street Grade Crossing Elimination Project in West Springfield, replacing two crossings with a roadway overpass. These awards go to public entities and are not open federal contract solicitations; they create a pipeline of potential state and local procurements for design, engineering, environmental review, construction, and rail-signal work.

- Contractors should review the selected-project list and track procurement notices and schedules issued by grant recipients; Massachusetts firms can also follow MassDOT notices for the West Springfield project.
- The announcement identifies a separate $130 million Springfield rail grant and more than $320 million in federal funding for Compass Rail overall, indicating additional rail infrastructure activity in the region.
- Firms providing grade-separation, civil engineering, environmental review, construction, and signal-system services can use the funded project pipeline to identify relevant public-sector opportunities. The grant announcement itself does not identify an open RFP or project awardee.
- The FRA also cited future RCE funding rounds, which may create further opportunities for firms supporting eligible public project sponsors.

**Jurisdictions:** federal, sled
**Industries:** Transportation, Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Grants & Funding, Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** October 31, 2026

### Government Entities
- Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
- U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)
- Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts

### Key Quotes
> This Department has invested nearly $10 billion in American rail this year alone, with more on the way. These latest investments will ensure the future of rail and the safety of passengers, rail workers, and the great Americans who share these transportation corridors continue to improve.
> — Sean P. Duffy, U.S. Transportation Secretary

> This award will allow us to make badly needed improvements in West Springfield that will make train service safer and more reliable while also reducing traffic congestion.
> — Maura Healey, Governor of Massachusetts

> These strategic investments will save lives, prevent accidents and reduce delays, allowing our nation’s railroads to focus on keeping America moving.
> — David Fink, FRA Administrator

### Sources
- [GOLDEN AGE OF RAIL: Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Invests Over $1.24 Billion into Safety Upgrades Across America’s Rail System | FRA](https://railroads.dot.gov/about-fra/communications/newsroom/press-releases/golden-age-rail-trumps-transportation-secretary-4) - DOT
- [GOLDEN AGE OF RAIL: Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Invests Over $1.24 Billion into Safety Upgrades Across America’s Rail System | FRA](https://railroads.dot.gov/about-fra/communications/newsroom/press-releases/golden-age-rail-trumps-transportation-secretary-5) - DOT
- [GOLDEN AGE OF RAIL: Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Invests Over $1.24 Billion into Safety Upgrades Across America’s Rail System | US Department of Transportation](https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/golden-age-rail-trumps-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-invests-over-124-billion) - DOT