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Ronald L. Batory Sworn in as Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration

WASHINGTON – Ronald L. Batory was sworn in this morning by U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao as the 14th Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). A railroad industry professional with more than 45 years of experience, Mr. Batory is widely respected, having worked successfully for small and large rail carriers across the U.S.  Prior to his nomination to serve as Administrator, Batory was President & Chief Operating Officer of Conrail, the eighth largest freight railroad in America from 2004 until his retirement in April 2017.

Updated: Wednesday, February 28, 2018

FRA Announces $73 Million Available for Rail Capital Projects and Operating Assistance

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today announced that it is accepting applications for $73 million in grant funding for projects that can strengthen intercity passenger rail, support capital projects and boost safety initiatives that may include the implementation of positive train control, improved highway-rail grade crossings, and congestion mitigation.

Updated: Thursday, February 15, 2018

U.S. Department of Transportation Advances Rail Plan for Northeast Corridor

Sets Stage for Expedited Permitting Process for Rail Infrastructure Projects

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today released the Northeast Corridor (NEC) FUTURE Record of Decision (ROD).  NEC FUTURE is FRA’s comprehensive planning effort to identify ways to improve the reliability, capacity, connectivity, performance and resiliency of passenger rail service throughout the Northeast Corridor through 2040 and beyond.

Updated: Wednesday, July 12, 2017

FRA Issues New Rule Requiring Passenger Railroads to Proactively Identify and Reduce Safety Risks

Will help passenger railroads achieve next level of safety

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today issued a new final rule which requires passenger railroads to proactively identify potential safety hazards across their operations and work to reduce and mitigate them.  The rule will help prevent potential safety problems from escalating and resulting in incidents, injuries, or deaths.

Updated: Friday, July 29, 2016

DOT Announces $199 Million Available for Positive Train Control Implementation on Commuter Railroads


Administration has requested $1.25 billion to help railroads achieve implementation

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced that it will accept applications for $199 million in competitive grant funding for Positive Train Control (PTC) implementation.  The grants, which will be selected by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and awarded and administered by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), will help commuter railroads implement PTC, which prevents accidents and saves lives.  

Updated: Thursday, July 28, 2016

Federal Railroad Administrator: We All Must Do More to Prevent Fatalities at Railroad Crossings


Calls on Congress, railroads, states, tech companies, and others to take greater action

WASHINGTON – In a statement to the railroad industry, states, tech companies and Congress, the Federal Railroad Administrator Sarah E. Feinberg today called for greater action to prevent fatalities at the nation’s more than 200,000 railroad crossings. During the last six weeks, there have been three significant incidents, in addition to others, that have killed parents and their children when struck by a train at crossings.

Updated: Tuesday, July 26, 2016

FRA and TxDOT Outline Passenger Rail Options Between Oklahoma City and Southern Texas, Seek Public Input

Public hearings and comment period on 10 proposed options to begin

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) have released 10 service and route options for new and improved conventional and high-speed passenger rail service connecting Oklahoma City, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, and South Texas.  The options are evaluated in a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).  

Updated: Friday, September 16, 2016
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