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6/17/2024
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) recently called on Congress to set aside $20 million from the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program to support rail planning efforts in every state, with funding disbursements channeled through the Federal Railroad Administration.
“As you begin your work to develop appropriations legislation for fiscal-year 2025, we request Congress direct $20 million in CRISI funds to states … to plan new routes and manage the complex infrastructure projects required to turn [rail] visions and plans into reality,” AASHTO said in a letter to congressional leaders. Also signing the letter was the States for Passenger Rail.
AASHTO officials added that, while the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 added a welcome influx of federal funding to launch planning and preparation for new rail projects, the unpredictable and uncertain nature of discretionary grant awards does not naturally lead to the steady and intentional construction of rail capacity at the state level.
President Joe Biden’s FY2025 budget request recognizes that need, “and we strongly support its enactment in the upcoming appropriations bill to enhance state capacity to plan and manage new rail projects,” AASHTO officials wrote.
“This funding set-aside will provide every single state with a crucial complement to the federal investments in rail already underway and in the pipeline. Resources to bolster state capacity will enable federal investments in rail infrastructure to be deployed faster and more efficiently,” they said.