FRA to provide $73 million for PTC, crossing improvements

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is accepting applications for $73 million in grant funding for capital projects, including positive train control implementation.

The money also could be used to improve grade crossings and mitigate congestion, FRA officials said in a press release. The funding, which was authorized by the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act, comes from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017.

The grants are expected to leverage private, state and local investments to advance a range of rail projects, according to the FRA.

"These grants are important resources in the [U.S. Department of Transportation's] ongoing efforts to strengthen our nation's overall rail systems, deploy positive train control and improve highway-rail grade crossings," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.

The notices of funding opportunity have been submitted to the Federal Register. Grant application deadlines will be revealed after the Register publishes the notices.