FRA offering more PTC grants
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief
Federal Railroad Administrator Ron Batory
The Federal Railroad Administration is making available the remaining $46.3 million of $250 million in Positive Train Control (PTC) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program grant money. FRA on Sept. 12 issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), to solicit applications.
More than $203 million in CRISI funds were awarded to 28 PTC programs in late August for intercity passenger rail, freight rail and/or commuter rail PTC implementation projects. Eligible projects included back-office systems; wayside, communications and onboard hardware equipment; software; equipment installation; spectrum; any component, testing and training for the implementation of PTC; and interoperability. Guidelines for this second solicitation are identical.
“This expedited solicitation will provide commuter and intercity railroads an additional opportunity to request grant funds for positive train control,” said FRA Administrator Ronald L. Batory. “By reissuing these funds, FRA is showing our continued commitment to work with railroads and suppliers in fully implementing PTC.”
Under this second solicitation, applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Oct. 12, 2018, 30 days after the NOFO is published in the Federal Register.
