The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced that Nebraska will receive a combined $67.9 million in federal grant awards as part of the Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program. These competitive federal grants provide funding for rail crossing projects that focus on improving the safety and mobility of people and goods. Nebraska received the following awards that will result in safer communities for pedestrians and motorists as well as rail workers and riders:
- City of Lincoln – 33rd/Cornhusker Viaduct ($66,706,880)
The project was selected for Final Design, Right-of-Way Acquisition and Construction and includes activities to eliminate two at-grade crossings in Lincoln. It will build a new bridge over the rail corridor to eliminate two at-grade railroad crossings at N. 33rd Street and Adams Street.
- City of Grand Island – Grand Island Rail Crossing Study ($600,000)
The planning project was selected as a prioritized Corridor Improvement Plan for 17 rail crossings in Grand Island. The project recommends crossing closures, grade separations and targeted safety countermeasures to enhance safety and address unreliable travel routes and emergency response delays caused by frequent train traffic.
- NDOT – Omaha to Lincoln Rail Crossing Study ($600,000)
The proposed project was selected for Project Planning and includes activities to evaluate 73 at-grade crossings along 64.5 miles of BNSF track across Nebraska. The project will identify various safety improvements, including crossing closures, installation of active warning devices, realignment of crossings, upgrades to grade crossings and new roadway connections.
“This is wonderful news for Nebraska,” said NDOT Local Assistance Division Manager Jodi Gibson. “We want to congratulate and thank our partners including the City of Lincoln and the City of Grand Island for their initiative and efforts in applying for these grant funds. The selected projects will eliminate the risk of collisions which delay drivers and emergency responders and most importantly, save lives. We also want to share our appreciation for BNSF and their support in the successful grant applications and these projects that will provide for a safer rail network for Nebraska.”
“An investment this large, over $67 million, will make a significant impact to the safety and efficiency of Nebraska’s transportation system,” said NDOT Director Vicki Kramer. “Railroad crossings present a vulnerability, and the funding will allow Lincoln and Grand Island to address their local needs while the funds awarded to NDOT will focus on the 73 crossings between Omaha and Lincoln. I appreciate BNSF’s partnership in addressing rail safety in Nebraska and the Pillen Administration’s support to enhance our grant application processes, these funds are a step forward in identifying, designing and building a safer, stronger more efficient network.”
The Nebraska Infrastructure Hub looks forward to securing more of this critical funding to Nebraska through providing support to state and local partners to, more confidently, navigate the challenges of the application and administration processes.
Learn more about the RCE Grant Program here, and find additional details on Nebraska’s grant recipients and other states’ awards here. Visit the Nebraska Infrastructure Hub website to learn more here.